• Francisco J Ramos-Gomez, Daniela Rodrigues P Silva, Clarice S Law, Rebecca L Pizzitola, Brendan John, and James J Crall.
• Dr. Ramos-Gomez is Professor, Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Director of the Pediatric Dentistry Preceptorship Program, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Silva is Dr. Thomas K. Barber Endowed Chair, Director of the Pediatric Residency Program, Associate Clinical Professor in Pediatric Dentistry, and Chair of the Section of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Law is Associate Clinical Professor, Sections of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Division of Associated Clinical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; Ms. Pizzitola is Public Administration Analyst, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; Mr. John is Senior Public Administration Analyst, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles; and Dr. Crall is Professor and Chair, Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles. frg@dentistry.ucla.edu.
• J Dent Educ. 2014 Dec 1; 78 (12): 1593-603.

AbstractThe University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry has implemented a Health Resources and Services Administration-funded program to prepare dentists for the complex and comprehensive needs of pediatric patients within rapidly changing demographics and a paradigm shift in dentistry. Traditional dental education has focused on how to respond to oral disease, whereas UCLA's program shifts the paradigm to emphasize early assessment, risk-based prevention, and disease management. A holistic approach to dental care that considers social and environmental determinants is used with minimally invasive techniques for restorative care. To support this change, pediatric dental residents receive traditional training combined with new didactics, advocacy opportunities, and applied learning experiences at community-based organizations. These new elements teach residents to recognize the causal factors of disease and to identify interventions that promote oral health at the individual, family, community, and policy level. Consequently, they are better prepared to treat a diverse group of patients who historically have faced the greatest burden of disease as well as an increased number of barriers to accessing oral health care; these consist of low-income, minority, and/or pediatric populations including children with special health needs. The program's ultimate goal is for residents to deploy these skills in treating vulnerable populations and to demonstrate greater interest in collaborating with non-dental health providers and community organizations to increase access to dental services in private or public health practice settings.

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