118 - Pediatric Dental Training in Postdoctoral General Dentistry Residency Programs

Purpose: To evaluate the scope of pediatric dentistry training within Postdoctoral General Dentistry (PGD) residency programs (GPR and AEGD) and to understand the experience PGD residents gain in treating pediatric patients.

Methods: A questionnaire containing seventeen questions was emailed via SurveyMonkey to 264 PGD program directors in the United States as obtained from the membership directory of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Data was collected over sixteen weeks.

Results: Response rate was 28%; GPR directors 32% (N=55) and AEGD directors 20% (N=19). Fifty-five percent of programs do not provide daily treatment to patients under the age of thirteen, and 51% allocate less than five classroom hours per year on pediatric dentistry within their curriculum. Nineteen percent of programs do not include didactic or clinical technique on the subject of clinical oral examination of patients under the age of thirteen. Additionally, 33% of program directors reported a “dense curriculum” as a barrier preventing an increase in curriculum hours dedicated to pediatric dental care.

Conclusions: There is a significant deficit in pediatric dentistry training within PGD programs nationwide. PGD program directors should re-evaluate and reinforce pediatric dentistry education within curriculum, to enhance the preparedness of general dentists in treating pediatric population.

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