Special Care/Hospital Dentistry Internship Program
Sacramento, USA
Advanced Certificate
DURATION
12 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Special Care/Hospital Dentistry Internship programme offers one year of advanced clinical training for dentists managing medically, developmentally and psychosocially complex patients. Primary sites: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, California Pacific Medical Center and hospitals. Clinical experience covers hospital-based and outpatient dentistry, operating-room cases under general anesthesia, hospital call, emergency management and student supervision. The programme isn't accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation; it runs 12 months (July 8, 2025–June 12, 2026).
Career Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for postgraduate residency programmes, practice in hospital dentistry and special care dentistry, leadership and research credentials to support residency candidacy.
The Special Care/Hospital Dentistry Internship Program is a one-year advanced training opportunity for dentists seeking additional education and experience in the management of medically, developmentally, and psychosocially complex patients. The program bridges the gap between general dental education and residency programs and prepares participants for specialized practice or advanced training in Special Care and Hospital Dentistry.
- Primary training locations include the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry outpatient Special Care Clinic, California Pacific Medical Center, and affiliated partner hospitals and clinics for diverse clinical exposure.
- Clinical components include supervising dental students, hospital-based dentistry including operating room cases under general anesthesia, and participation in hospital call and emergency management.
- Program length: 12 months (July 8, 2025 June 12, 2026).
- Limitation: This program is not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; it is intended as an advanced training opportunity.
Dentists who want additional, focused training in caring for medically, developmentally, or psychosocially complex patients and who seek preparation for competitive post-graduate residency programs or specialized practice in Special Care and Hospital Dentistry.
Stipend: $68,000 annually.
Graduates are prepared for competitive post-graduate residency programs and specialized dental practice. Career outcomes include candidacy for residency programs and leadership roles in hospital dentistry or special care dentistry. The program also supports research and scholarly growth to enhance academic credentials.
- Primary training locations: University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry; California Pacific Medical Center; rotations at affiliated hospitals and clinics.
- Core clinical responsibilities:
- Supervising dental students in the outpatient Special Care Clinic.
- Managing patients with developmental disabilities, severe medical conditions, or behavioral challenges.
- Participating in hospital call and managing dental emergencies.
- Assisting in operating room cases under general anesthesia.
- Procedures and clinical experience include:
- Restorative dentistry
- Fixed prosthodontics
- Simple and surgical extractions
- Endodontic treatment
- Therapeutic periodontal treatment
- Periodontal surgery
- Scholarly activity: interns gain research experience and contribute to academic publications.
