Objectives

In meeting the overall goal of producing a proficient specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, the specific objectives of the postgraduate program which encompass the standards of established care for infants, children, and adolescents include:

  • Ability to educate and guide the child and parent to accept and practice oral health care with preventive concepts, a foundation of clinical practice.
  • Mastery of restorative procedures in primary and young permanent teeth required to treat children and adolescents.
  • Understanding of the physical and chemical properties of medications and dental materials used in treatment and physiologic responses of the child and adolescent to these agents.
  • Knowledge of pediatrics, oral pathology, and oral surgical procedures applicable to the child dental patient.
  • Capability to diagnose and treat traumatized and carious primary / young permanent teeth to maintain the teeth, pulp tissues, and periodontium in a healthy state.
  • Ability to provide comprehensive oral health care for medically, emotionally, mentally, or physically challenged patients.
  • Understanding the growth and development of the stomatognathic system and the ability to provide treatment aimed at allowing optimal development of this system.
  • Ability to provide control of pain and anxiety through the use of psychological and pharmacological methods including provision of dental care in the hospital.
  • Familiarity with published literature pertinent to pediatric dentistry and the motivation to remain abreast with and critically evaluate the dental literature.
  • Commitment to the implementation of individual and community prevention programs aimed at dental and systemic diseases and traumatic injuries.
  • Preparation for managing a contemporary pediatric dental practice relative to practice administration, efficient auxiliary utilization, and marketing.
  • Coordination of all of the above objectives such that diagnosis, case analysis, treatment planning, and clinical management of oral-facial health problems that occur in infancy, childhood, and adolescence are grounded in a sound application of scientific knowledge that remains state-of-the-art through development of an attitude towards lifelong inquiry and study.