First-of-Its-Kind Pediatric Dental Residency Marks Milestone in Specialized Care

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. - The first and only pediatric dentistry residency program and associated clinic in the state recently celebrated one year of serving Oklahoma’s children.

The University of Oklahoma Pediatric Dentistry Residency Clinic, located in Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, serves the dental health care needs of hospital patients as well as outpatient clients, offering full dental services to pediatric patients from infancy through adolescence. Services are tailored specifically to meet all children’s oral health needs, including children with medical, intellectual, developmental, cognitive or physical disabilities. Approximately 50% of patients served by the residency program have complex medical needs.

The founding of a pediatric dentistry residency program in Oklahoma has had immediate and long-term impacts on the state.

“Our program is providing high-quality pediatric dental care to some of the most vulnerable children in our state while simultaneously training the future of pediatric oral health care in Oklahoma and beyond,” said David Ciesla, DDS, director for OU’s graduate pediatric dentistry residency.

The pediatric dental residency clinic is staffed by highly qualified and compassionate faculty practitioners and dental residents, who provide comprehensive pediatric dental specialty care. This collaborative model ensures that patients receive excellent, evidence-based treatment in a learning environment that prioritizes both quality and safety. 

Residents in pediatric dentistry are continuing their education after dental school into a specialty area of dentistry. They spend two years engaged in advanced education and clinical training specific to the unique needs of pediatric patients. OU’s two-year program began in 2024 with three residents, and this year added four more residents.

“We are proud to be training talented pediatric specialists equipped to respond to the increasing statewide needs for pediatric dental services,” said Autumn Hurd, DDS, assistant director for the program. “Our mission is to improve oral health outcomes for the children in our state.”

Since its launch in 2024, the program has served more than 3,000 patients. Current and recent research projects conducted through the program include research into barriers to care and social determinants of health affecting children with special health care needs, access challenges and potential solutions for underserved populations, and workforce shortages and distribution gaps in pediatric dental care.

About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.