Pediatric Dentistry

Get advanced education in pediatric dentistry

Launch your career as a pediatric dentist in the Graduate Pediatric Dentistry Program at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. As you work toward a Master of Science in Dentistry degree, you’ll learn to provide both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

Upon completion of the two-year program, you’ll be prepared for clinical practice or teaching positions in the field of pediatric dentistry.

Contact us

Program director: Dr. LaQuia Vinson

Office of Graduate Education
1121 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
  • Phone: 317-274-8408
  • Email: dsgrad@iu.edu

About the Master of Science in Dentistry degree program

The Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree and a clinical certificate are awarded upon completion of required didactic and clinical coursework, oral and written qualifying exams, and a research project culminating in a thesis or journal manuscript. This is a combined degree/certificate program; the school does not offer the option to earn only a clinical certificate.

The M.S.D. program starts the first week of July each year; students may not enter the program in the spring semester. If you are an international student, you must arrive on campus at the end of May to complete the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) placement test.

View the degree requirements

Core competencies

If you successfully complete the program, you will be able to demonstrate competency in these areas.

You will be able to:

  • Diagnose and provide treatment to child and adolescent patients
  • Manage patients with the use of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management techniques
  • Provide comprehensive management of patients with disabilities

You will be able to:

  • Draw upon evidence-based literature to select and justify appropriate treatment
  • Learn the dental care systems, both public and private sectors
  • Complete and present research relevant to the specialty of pediatric dentistry

You will be able to:

  • Present appropriate treatment plans to patients and family members
  • Present accurate oral and written reports to referring physicians and dentists
  • Draw upon the latest evidence-based literature to provide education and oral hygiene instructions to patients
  • Interpret and present the findings of medical and laboratory reports

Application process

You will use the American Dental Education Association Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (the Match) to apply for admission to the program.

The application deadline is October 1 each year.

Learn how to apply

Costs and financial aid

M.S.D. students pay an annual flat rate for tuition. The rate varies based on your residency classification (whether you’re considered an in-state or out-of-state student). Other costs include university fees and instrument rental or purchase.

Federal student loans are available to qualified students. A limited number of small scholarships are awarded by academic departments.

Learn more about costs and financial aid

Find out more