Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of an age group rather than specific techniques. The field requires extensive knowledge of normal growth and development, behavior management, and all phases of prevention-oriented dentistry in both healthy and compromised patients.
We provide both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care to individuals with special health care needs. Our postgraduate educational programs help prepare graduates for careers in community practice and/or academics and board certification in pediatric dentistry.
About Our Department
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty of an age group rather than a specific technique; therefore, extensive knowledge concerning normal growth and development, behavior management, and all phases of prevention-oriented dentistry in healthy and compromised patients is required.
Among our offerings, the Advanced Educational Program is designed to prepare future leaders in Pediatric Dentistry by providing a comprehensive education and training experience. With a focus on dentistry for children and individuals with developmental disabilities, residents can gain clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the field.
Our faculty boasts outstanding full-time and nearly two dozen adjunct members. Among our faculty, the department has 4 FTE involved in research projects with approximately $1.0 million in annual funded NIH research support. In addition, our team has access to sophisticated and advanced laboratory equipment within the School of Dentistry and the many UAB Centers.
Research and Scholarly Activity
Pediatric Dentistry
The Department of Pediatric Dentistry is actively engaged in clinical and translational research. Areas of contribution include:
- Molecular mechanism governing bacterial biofilm formation
- Osteoimmunology, host/microbial interactions in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and dental caries
- Mucosal vaccines for oral infectious diseases
- Adjuvant development and characterization
- Regenerative dental research
- Microbiology and epidemiology of dental caries in high caries-risk population
- Mucosal immunology and cytokines in dental diseases
- Periodontal disease
Facilities