The program emphasis is placed on diversified educational experiences aimed at problem-solving. This program offers more in-depth clinical and research experiences than traditional programs and is aimed at the serious clinician, future academician or the budding investigator. Development of health care leadership skills is emphasized with externships and training at the local, state and national levels. Curriculum Clinic patients are selected to provide a variety of experiences in the areas of restorative dentistry, orthodontics, dentistry for the handicapped, dental developmental deformities, genetic abnormalities, behavior management and hospital dental care. Clinical activities are carried out in a school-based Children's Clinic and at several extramural sites, including the Children's Dental Clinic at Duke University Medical Center.
Clinical experience is distributed during all three years.
Education and experience in sedation and anesthesia are received through didactic and clinical training at the School of Dentistry and through a rotation in anesthesia at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Physical diagnosis and pediatric medicine are taught through an association and rotation with the Department of Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine. Each student completes several experiences focused on developing and improving skills in scholarship and research. During the first year each student is encouraged to write and submit for publication a case report and complete courses in research design, statistics and dental education techniques in conjunction with protocol preparation. The second year is devoted largely to an original investigation that was planned and organized during the first year.