Program Description:
Given the ever-increasing pace of scientific progress—particularly in dentistry, a relatively young field compared with other medical disciplines—it is essential to revise the curricula in these fields. These revisions were considered necessary in view of: 1) changes in the needs of community members and dental specialists; and 2) developments and innovations in oral disease prevention and oral health services, as well as the findings of needs assessments and evaluations reported by recent graduates and postgraduate students in pediatric dentistry. Furthermore, the pediatric dentistry guidelines prepared by the Supreme Committee for this field made curriculum revision mandatory. Accordingly, this revised curriculum was developed.
Definition
Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty concerned with preventing disease, maintaining and promoting oral health, and diagnosing and treating oral and dental diseases in healthy children and adolescents and individuals with special needs. The educational content of this specialty builds on the material taught in the general dentistry program, addressing it at a more advanced and comprehensive level. Graduates who pass the specialty examinations administered by the authorities of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education will be certified as pediatric dentistry specialists.
Objectives:
The objective of the new curriculum is to train pediatric dentistry specialists who meet international and national standards in knowledge, academic and clinical skills, professional values, and conduct. Graduates are also expected to provide high-quality preventive and diagnostic services, as well as educational and research services.
By the end of the program, learners will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
- Comprehensive examination and treatment planning
- Children’s behavior management
- Detection of acquired and developmental anomalies and disorders of the oral cavity
- Application of dental caries prevention methods
- Treatment of primary and permanent teeth in children
- Application of fissure sealants and preventive resin restorations
- Pulp therapy for primary and permanent teeth in children
- Management and treatment of impacted teeth
- Dental hospital services
- Dental care for children and adolescents with disabilities
- Management and supervision of occlusion in children and adolescents
Duration: 2.5 years
Total course credits
- Common basic sciences: 9.5
- Specific basic sciences: 3.5
- Faculty-taught related sciences: 16.5
- Hospital-taught related sciences: 5.5
- Core courses: 86
Program Curriculum
For more information, please download the Curriculum for the Pediatric Dentistry
