Overview: The NYU Langone Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry (PEDS) Program is a 24-month hospital- and health-center based education program that provides a strong didactic and clinical foundation in Pediatric Dentistry. Founded in 1994, by Dr. Silvia Perez-Spiess in Brooklyn, NY, the program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The curriculum emphasizes pediatric medicine and dentistry, behavioral and pharmacologic management of children, oral biology, conscious sedation and general anesthesia for both the well child and those with special health care needs. Residents train with specialists in all disciplines of dentistry including orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics and dental anesthesia and develop expertise in treating patients who are medically compromised.

This innovative program is a hybrid blend of a strong distance learning didactic curriculum and extensive clinical experience. Distance-based didactic learning is achieved through asynchronous web-based education modules and a state-of-the-art video teleconference system that connects residents and faculty across all sites. With ample clinical exposure to pediatric medicine, conscious sedation and general anesthesia, graduates are trained to be an integral part of the medical team and hospital environment. Additional experience in hospital dentistry, craniofacial conditions, interceptive orthodontics, research, ethics and policy advocacy successfully prepares the graduate to pursue a career in private practice, public/community health or academia.

PEDS Curriculum: In Year 1, residents study most of the core curriculum, completing biomedical courses including oral biology, pediatric anesthesia, physical diagnosis, behavioral management, pediatric dentistry series, orthodontics, craniofacial development, and research methods and materials. At most sites, residents may attend monthly craniofacial conferences. Courses, electives, and requirements include core public health subjects. First-year residents also are assigned multiple rotations including pediatric medicine, general anesthesia, emergency medicine, phlebotomy, prenatal care, and on-call services.

In the second year, the curriculum is focused on children with complex medical conditions. Second-year residents are assigned with pediatric specialists to work in areas such as hematology, oncology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology, nephrology, cardiology, and immunology. 

Program Strengths: Residents receive a rich, comprehensive and robust education. Second year residents are well prepared to take the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) Qualifying Examination (QE), the first of a two-part ABPD certification process. The majority of NYU Langone Dental Medicine PEDS residents pass the QE and go on to become board-certified diplomates of the ABPD.

Research: Residents must complete a research project and, in Year 2, present their research posters at the annual AAPD meeting.