The program in children's dentistry begins in the first quarter of the second year. Initially, the student is introduced to the preventive aspects of dental care in children. Dental caries prevention is especially stressed, including the use of systemic and topical fluorides, occlusal sealant application, and diet modification. Restorative care and appliance therapy for children is also taught with equal emphasis placed upon the technical aspects of treatment and treatment rationale. The development of occlusion from the prenatal period through adolescence is presented, and what constitutes a 'normal' occlusion is described. Students learn to recognize malocclusion, identify the concomitant etiologic factors, and are taught to prevent, intercept, or treat minor problems of the occlusion. The didactic program continues in the third year with emphasis on behavior management in children, orthodontic considerations for the adult patient, and literature review. Clinical sessions in children's dentistry are conducted in the students' second and third years.

The department offers selectives to fourth year students both at the school and at affiliated institutions. In addition, a fourth-year clinical program in dental care for the developmentally disabled is provided.

HDC 601 Children's Dentistry I
An introduction to pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and clinical caries prevention with emphasis on the normal child's dentition, dental abnormalities, pulp therapy, operative procedures, treatment of traumatic injuries, growth and development of the jaws, cranium and dentition, normal occlusion and malocclusion, orthodontic diagnosis including cephalometrics, interceptive and corrective treatment. Stresses rationale of caries prevention and importance of dietary factors. Includes laboratory.
120 course hours, Dr. Alexander and faculty

HDC 602 Year II Clinic-Children's Dentistry
Provides clinical experience for the preventive, interceptive, corrective, operative, surgical treatment of children. Faculty supervision.
Prerequisite: HDC 601 Laboratory Component
53 course hours, Dr. Alexander and faculty

HDC 701 Children's Dentistry II
An introduction to behavior management of the child dental patient, orthodontic tooth movement, and orthodontics for adult patients. Includes laboratory session in minor tooth movement and orthodontic and pediatric dental literature review seminars.
Prerequisite: HDC 601
74 course hours, Dr. Alexander and faculty

HDC 702 Year III Clinic-Children's Dentistry
Provides clinical experience in comprehensive patient care for pre-school, school-age, and adolescent patients, dental care for the handicapped, and orthodontic treatment on adults undergoing other kinds of dental care.
Prerequisite: HDC 602
228 course hours, Dr. Alexander and faculty

HDC 801 Year IV Clinic-Dental Care for the Developmentally Disabled
Provides clinical experience in comprehensive care for the developmentally disabled, including pre- and post-sensitivity training.
Prerequisites: HDC 602 and 702
44 course hours, Dr. Cinotti, B. Berentsen and faculty

Selective Courses
(See HDI 805)

Clinical Orthodontics
Clinical orthodontics involving correction of major malocclusion under direct faculty supervision.
School of Dental Medicine
Drs. Alexander and Faber

Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
Clinical experiences involving young patients with major dental problems and patients with developmental disabilities.
School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Ferguson and faculty

Pediatric Dental Research
Clinical pediatric dentistry and/or laboratory research conducted at the school or in the field.
School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Ferguson, Dr. Leske and Dr. Ripa

Cleft Palate Patient Care
A didactic and clinical experience in the care and management of the cleft palate patient.
School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Ferguson and Faculty