Grant funds may be used for program initiation, expansion or improvement. Support for programs of pediatric dentistry is part of a Federal effort to improve the access and availability of primary care in the field of dentistry. The grant program assists dental schools and accredited postgraduate dental training programs to meet the costs of planning, developing and operating pediatric residency training and education programs in postdoctoral pediatric dentistry. This includes the cost of supporting trainees in such programs who plan to enter and pursue the practice of pediatric dentistry.
Grant support is available for three categories of program development.
The primary intent of the grant program is to assist accredited training programs in the production of pediatric dentists who are well trained to meet the needs of children at high risk of dental diseases. This is a new grant program. Funds will be awarded for the first time in the spring of 2000. In order to receive support, the training program must have an accreditation classification assigned by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.