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
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Sidney B. Finn Pediatric Dentistry Clinic
The Sidney B. Finn Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at the UAB School of Dentistry is located on the third floor as a separate clinic of the School of Dentistry. The clinic contains 10 modern operatories. Equipment for taking oral radiographs as well as other supportive equipment is available within the clinic. A well-equipped dental laboratory is located adjacent to the Pediatric Clinic and is used by the clinic personnel in the fabrication of preventive and interceptive orthodontic appliances, etc. Personnel include a clerk receptionist and chairside dental assistants.
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Children’s Hospital
The Children's Hospital is a 190 bed tertiary care facility housing a Pediatric Dentistry Clinic which provides comprehensive oral care for both ambulatory and in-house patients. An extensive population of medically compromised patients from the southeast region and healthy patients from the Birmingham area are treated in this facility which has complete radiographic capabilities and a laboratory. A well-equipped dental operating room for treating patients using general anesthesia is available. Clinical auxiliary personnel include a clinic receptionist, dental hygienist and chairside dental assistants. Children's Hospital Dental Clinic opened in 1992.
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UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics
UAB Citivan-Sparks Dental Clinic is the only dental clinic in the State of Alabama dedicated exclusively to treating patients with mild to profound intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is part of the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics, an interprofessional, multidisciplinary center that provides diagnosis and therapy for individuals with special health needs and disabilities. Sparks Dental Clinic specialize in providing safe, quality dental care for individuals who lack the developmental and cognitive ability to understand or cooperate for traditional dental treatment. Our patients include children and adults with disabilities such as:
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Downs and other genetic syndromes
- Epilepsy
- Intellectual disability
- Physical disabilities such as deafness, vision impairment and paralysis
- Sensory Integration issues
- Many other developmental conditions
Our services include routine preventive care (i.e., exams, cleaning, fluoride treatments, radiographs), fillings, and simple extractions.
Remodeled in 2019, the clinic has two operatories, digital radiography and equipment unique to managing our special patient population. The clinic is staffed with a clinic supervisor and a dental assistant.
The Sparks Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders
The Sparks Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders is concerned with the interdisciplinary evaluation and management of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities. Many children with special needs have some type of malocclusion, which can include crowded or misaligned teeth. Sucking on a pacifier, a thumb, or fingers for years and constantly holding the mouth open to breathe can affect the shape of the mouth, size of the tongue, and position of the teeth. In these cases, it may be more difficult to keep teeth clean, potentially leading to cavities and periodontal problems.
The clinic provides diagnostic craniofacial evaluations as well as comprehensive oral health care. In accordance with its interdisciplinary approach, the Sparks Center provides a dental clinic for its patients. Dental care is available for Sparks clients of all ages. It has two-well equipped operatories and is staffed by a dental hygienist/assistant.