This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

PEDD 511. General Anesthesia Rotation. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 40 clinical sessions. 3 credits. Teaches general anesthesia with special emphasis in pediatrics. Allows students to become knowledgeable in pre-operative evaluation, risk assessment, assessing the effects of pharmacologic agents, venipuncture techniques, airway management, general anesthetic induction and intubation, administration of anesthetic agents, patient monitoring, prevention and management of anesthetic emergencies, recovery room management, postoperative appraisal and follow-up.

PEDD 512. Growth and Development. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 16 lecture/seminar hours. 1 credit. Lecture format provides foundational knowledge on the growth and development of the head and neck to include oral embryology and development of the dentition.

PEDD 514. Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 30 lecture hours. 2 credits. Introduces material in pediatric dentistry. Involves didactic, clinical and laboratory portions.

PEDD 572. Pediatric Dental Emergency Service. 2.5 Hours.

Semester course; 30 clinical sessions. 2.5 credits. Must be taken for two consecutive semesters. Graduate students are scheduled for emergency services on a weekly basis. Offers experience in the assessment and management of orofacial trauma, dental pain and infections.

PEDD 612. Seminar Series: Pediatric Dentistry and Medicine. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 30 lecture/seminar hours. 2 credits. Must be taken every semester of the program. Provides an arena for students to present seminars in either a clinical area or medical conditions of interest to pediatric dentists. Gives students practical experience in giving formal presentations and provides him/her with information related to clinical subject area(s) with medical conditions about which pediatric dentists should be knowledgeable.

PEDD 620. Pediatric Medicine Rotation. 1.5 Hour.

Semester course; 40 clinical sessions. 1.5 credits. Requires students to obtain and evaluate medical histories, parental interviews, system-oriented physical examinations, clinical assessments of healthy and ill patients, selection of laboratory tests and evaluation of data, evaluation of physical, motor and sensory development, genetic implications of childhood diseases, the use of drug therapy in the management of diseases and parental management through discussions and explanations.

PEDD 622. Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Designed to develop the student’s knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning and basic skills for management of the pediatric dental patient. The course is the first of two didactic courses given to the dental student for pediatric dentistry.

PEDD 640. Clinical Teaching. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 25 clinical sessions. 2 credits. May be repeated for credit. Must be taken every semester of the program. Lectures and clinical instruction involving contact with third and forth-year dental students. Provides teaching experience in diagnosis and treatment planning, restorative preparations and management of children's behavior.

PEDD 650. Literature Review. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 30 lecture/seminar hours. 2 credits. Must be taken every semester of the program. Reviews literature related to all aspects of the pediatric patient. Emphasizes the ability students to discuss the content of the articles and to critically evaluate it. Stresses the integration of new material with previously discussed literature and collateral material. Uses the reading list from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

PEDD 654. Treatment Planning Seminar. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 16 lecture/seminar hours. 1 credit. May be repeated for a total of four credits. Must be taken every semester of the program. Provides diagnosis and treatment planning of the child, adolescent and special patient. Follows up on records on completed cases, which also are presented and evaluated. Discusses the techniques employed and the justification of the treatment.

PEDD 656. Current Literature Review. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 16 lecture/seminar hours. 1 credit. May be repeated for credit. Discusses articles from recent publications relating to all aspects of pediatric dentistry. Covers and critically reviews the Policies and Guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

PEDD 680. Pediatric Dental Clinic. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; 120 clinical sessions. Variable for 1-4 credits. Must be taking both fall and spring of the first and second years of the program for 4 credits each semester. May be taken in additional semesters as needed to complete clinical training; credit will vary based on circumstances. Provides for the clinical management of pediatric dental patients. Provides experiences in the treatment of infants, preschool children, adolescent and special patients. Stresses pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques and behavior management.

PEDD 700. Senior Selective in Pediatric Dentistry. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 4 clinical hours per week. 1 credit. Prerequisites: successful completion of PEDD 611 and PEDD 733 and permission of the course director. This is a clinical course that provides students with more advanced experiences and techniques in pediatric dentistry.

PEDD 701. Selective in Special Care Dentistry. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 4 clinical hours/week. 1 credit. Prerequisites: D4 standing and selection by course faculty. This course is designed to give the interested student clinical exposure to the comprehensive dental care of individuals who have special health care needs. Graded as pass/fail.

PEDD 730. Special Care Dentistry. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Enrollment restricted to dental students with D3 standing. This course is designed to enhance the dental student’s understanding of the complexities of providing care for individuals with special health care needs.

PEDD 733. Advanced Pediatric Dentistry. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Designed to supplement and reinforce the student’s knowledge of diagnosis, treatment planning and basic skills for management of the pediatric dental patient. This includes a review of basic pediatric clinical procedures and introduction to the treatment of pediatric patients with special needs.

PEDD 739. Clinical Pediatric Dentistry III. 0.5 Hours.

Yearlong course; 24 clinical hours. .5 credit. Clinical rotation course designed to introduce the student to the basics of clinical pediatric dentistry and to prepare the student for PEDD 749. Students receive CO grading in the fall and a letter grade upon completion.

PEDD 749. Clinical Pediatric Dentistry IV. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 48 clinical hours. 1 credit. Enrollment is restricted to students who have successfully completed all prior courses in pediatric dentistry and D4 class standing. This course is offered as a two-week clinical rotation during the senior year of the dental curriculum. Students will build upon and refine the skills developed during the D3 clinical experience. Pediatric dentistry is a unique experience because of the young patient population and psychological skills are centrally important to delivering patient care. The course has a strong emphasis on developing behavioral, communication and patient-management skills.