Residency in Pediatric Dentistry 
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine
Office of Graduate Studies
Samson Pavilion
9501 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 368-1168
Program Website: https://case.edu/dental/departments-programs/pediatric-dentistry 

Program Length and Number of Positions

2 year program, 8 positions each year

Program Type

University-sponsored, hospital-affiliated, certificate program 

Application

Applications are processed through PASS.

Description

Postgraduate study in Pediatric Dentistry at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in clinical affiliation with Cleveland’s University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and MetroHealth Hospital Systems is an intense and rewarding clinical and didactic educational experience.

Our two-year post-doctoral residency program follows closely the principles and policies as outlined in the Guidelines for Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry prepared by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. It is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Successful completion results in a certificate of specialty education in pediatric dentistry which qualifies the resident for examination by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. There is also an option for students to receive the M.S.D. Students who elect to complete the Master's program pay full tuition. The M.S.D. program is open to non-U.S. citizens and foreign-trained dentists. Foreign-trained dentists MUST complete a CODA accredited G.P.R. or A.E.G.D. before applying to the program.

Our purpose is to train the specialist as a qualified practitioner, consultant and advocate for complete dental treatment of children, adolescents and young adults including individuals with special health care needs.

The acquired skills prepare the pediatric dental resident to prevent, diagnose, and treat common and unusual oral problems that might arise during physical, psychological, behavioral and social development of the individuals under our care. As such, significant training time is devoted to developing an approach to care through an understanding of physical, psychological, behavioral, and social development. 

Our program offers a balanced clinical and didactic curriculum in advanced management oral health care for infant, child, adolescent, young adult, and individuals with special health care needs.

The pediatric dentistry curriculum is designed to have the resident play an integral role in the health care of children, side by side with his/her medical colleagues, and to prepare the resident for successful entry into the contemporary practice setting while providing the foundation for future growth in the field.

Curriculum

View curriculum information here

Program Stipend and Tuition

Stipend: $61,955 first year; $64,425 second year
Tuition: $5,000 each year

Program Fringe Benefits include: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, paid time off, professional liability insurance, DEA license, and continuing education allowance

Facilities

  • CWRU School of Dental Medicine Cornell Pediatric Dentistry Clinic
  • CWRU School of Dental Medicine Ambulatory Surgery Center
  • University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
  • University Hospitals Rainbow Center for Women and Children Dental Clinic
  • Metro Health Systems Hospital
  • MetroHealth Systems Ohio City Family Dentistry Clinic
  • Northeast Head Start Programs
  • Ronald McDonald Care Mobile 

Admission Requirements

  • Admission requires the DMD or equivalent degree from an accredited institution. 
  • A "B" average or ranking in the upper third of the graduating class and successful completion of National Board Dental Examination Parts I and II.  
  • Resident and intern must obtain a full, unrestricted license from the Ohio State Dental Board
  • Only those application packets that are complete and received by the deadline are forwarded to the program director for consideration.

Program Strengths

The CWRU SODM patient care facilities include the Cornell Pediatric Dentistry Clinic and the outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Unit. Residents have the opportunity to treat complex pediatric patients under sedation and in our state-of-art outpatient clinical facility. Additionally, phase I and II orthodontic training is provided through assigned orthodontic faculty. The resident is also granted teaching privileges at the Cornell Dental Clinic, supervising the DMD students, help them to understand children’s dental growth and development, the treatment plans, and teach them behavior guidance. The rotation in SODM is a rewarding experience and residents play an integral part in achieving providing pleasant dental service for children. 

University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is a primary and tertiary care center for pediatric health care in Northeast Ohio. Consequently, the outpatient clinic offers comprehensive clinical experience in management of medically compromised patients along with management of traumatic dental injuries. Residents have numerous experiences in advanced behavior guidance techniques: oral sedation, intravenous sedation, general anesthesia. Rotation in hospital’s craniofacial clinic provides a great deal of clinical experiences in orthodontics. 

University Hospitals Rainbow Center for Women and Children Dental Clinic is a community dental clinic. The residents will perform preventive and restorative treatment to children and young pregnant women in this state-of-the-art facility. 

Residents at MetroHealth Systems will experience community care in the newly built Ohio City Family Dentistry clinic. The clinic is fully equipped with new technology. Residents also have the opportunity to treat patients in MetroHealth surgery centers.

Our residents are also involved in our community outreach initiatives. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to areas around the region to provide comprehensive care to children with limited access to oral health services. Young children throughout the area participating in the Head Start program benefit from our resident doctors bringing the required dental examination to the facility or home-based program. 

The diverse backgrounds and expertise of the clinical faculty allow for excellent clinical training in behavior guidance, advanced behavior guidance, preventive dentistry, trauma management, community dentistry, orthodontics soft/hard-tissue laser certification.

Program Faculty

Gerald A. Ferretti, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H. - Professor and Chair, Pediatric Dentistry* (full-time)
Ying An, D.D.S., Ph.D. – Visiting Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (full-time)
Yasser Armanazi, D.D.S. – Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Jed M. Best, D.D.S., M.S. – Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Andrea Browne, D.M.D. – Visiting Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Renee Commarato, D.D.S., M.S. - Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Monica Constanine, D.M.D. -- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Theodore Croll, D.D.S. – Clinical Professor* (part-time)
Frederick J. Gehrke, D.D.S. – Clinical Senior Instructor (part-time)
John Gerstenmaier, D.D.S. – Clinical Professor, Pre-doctoral Pediatric Dentistry (part time)
John H. Gerstenmaier, III, D.M.D. – Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Daniel M. Gindi, D.M.D. – Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
James Kozic, D.D.S. – Clinical Instructor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
John E. Nathan, D.D.S., M.D.S. – Adjunct Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Rebecca L. Robbins, D.D.S. – Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
David L. Rothman, D.D.S. – Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Amberlee Taylor, D.M.D. – Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Ozlem Tulunoglu, D.D.S., Ph.D. – Visiting Instructor, Pre-doctoral Pediatric Dentistry (full-time)
Manish Valiathan, D.D.S., M.S. – Associate Professor, Orthodontics* (part-time)
Sofia Xofylli, D.D.S., M.S.D. – Visiting Assistant Professor, Orthodontics (part-time)

*Board-Certified

School Profile

 

Program Type: Combined
Program Director: Full-time
Program Faculty: 3 Full-Time
18 Part-Time
16 Board Certified
Program Length: 24 Total Months
July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation: Approved
State Licensure: Required
Number of Entering Positions: 8
Tuition In-State: $5,000 Subject to Change First Year
$5,000 Subject to Change Second Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:  
Salary/Stipend: $61,955 Subject to Change First Year
$64,425 Subject to Change Second Year
Application: $145 Fee
Sept. 15 Deadline
Participant in National
Matching Service:
Yes
Participant in PASS: Yes
Only US citizens from ADA 
accredited dental schools 
considered:
Yes
US citizens from foreign dental 
schools considered:
No
Non-US citizens from ADA 
accredited dental schools 
considered:
Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign 
dental schools considered:
No
Acceptance Applicant Ratio: 1:15
Clinic Experience: Orthodontics
Conscious Sedation
Hospital Rotations
General Anesthesia
Emergency Call
Operating Room
Oral Surgery
Infant Oral Health
Medically Compromised
Mentally Disabled
Craniofacial Disorders
Physically Disabled
Community Clinics
Outreach
Public Health
Minimal and Moderate Sedations
Special Health Care Needs
Behvior Guidance
Didactic Experience: Seminars
Lectures
Literature Review
Courses
Case Conferences
Research Requirement: Data Collection Project
Case Report
Teaching Experience: 1/wk during second year. Residents will also teach dental students in the operating room and clinic settings. Residents present in the weekly morbidity and mortality case conference and literature review.
Facilities: 20 Chair/Operatories
6 Clinic Receptionist
10 Dental Assistants
5 Dental Hygienists