At the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, the Department of Developmental Sciences prepares students to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients from childhood through adulthood. Through the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics divisions, students explore the science of growth and development while gaining the clinical knowledge and compassionate perspective needed to care for children, adolescents, and individuals with special health care needs. Through excellence in patient care, student education, research, mentorship, and service, we are committed to preparing future dental professionals who will make a lasting difference in the lives of their patients and communities.
The Division of Pediatric Dentistry offers students unique educational experiences and access to advanced clinical technologies. Our Pediatric Dentistry Clinic provides training in the administration of nitrous oxide, ensuring students gain valuable experience in behavior guidance of children and patient comfort. The department utilizes digital scanning technology and in-house printing capabilities for appliances and restorations, exposing students to contemporary approaches in patient care. Undergraduate students rotate through the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, spending time in specialty clinics, hospital settings, and operating rooms to gain firsthand experience caring for medically complex and special needs patients. These opportunities provide invaluable exposure to a wide range of clinical scenarios and treatment environments.
Our faculty are among the department’s greatest strengths. The majority of our full-time faculty members are board-certified specialists who bring exceptional expertise and dedication to teaching and patient care. Many of our part-time faculty members are in private practice, providing students with valuable mentorship and insight into private practice careers. Faculty members also serve in leadership roles within professional organizations, helping shape the future of dentistry at both the state and national levels.
Service to the community is central to our identity. Through programs such as OU Kids’ Day and TeamSmile, in partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder, students provide free dental care and oral health education to underserved children across the state. These experiences reinforce the importance of prevention, early intervention, and helping families build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
The Division of Orthodontics introduces dental students to a modern, technology-driven specialty where science, artistry, and patient care come together to transform smiles and improve lives. Students gain exposure to contemporary tools and digital workflows, including cone-beam computed tomography, intraoral scanning, 3D printing, digital treatment planning, and temporary anchorage devices. Through observation and clinical learning experiences, they see the full scope of orthodontic care, from clear aligner therapy and traditional braces to interdisciplinary treatment, orthognathic surgery, and the management of complex craniofacial and dentofacial conditions.
Guided by nationally and internationally recognized faculty leaders, students learn in a welcoming, collaborative environment that values mentorship, ethical practice, evidence-based decision-making, and lifelong learning. Faculty involvement with organizations such as the American Board of Orthodontics, American Association of Orthodontists, and the Commission on Dental Accreditation brings valuable perspective to the classroom and clinic. Whether students are considering orthodontics as a future specialty or seeking a deeper understanding of comprehensive dental care, the division offers meaningful opportunities to explore innovation, research, and the lasting impact orthodontic treatment can have on patients’ health, function, and confidence.
Thank you for your interest in the OU College of Dentistry Department of Developmental Sciences. The vision that inspired me to establish the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program continues to guide our work and your future learning in the college today: improving the oral health of Oklahoma’s children and raising the overall health of our state’s residents.
Sincerely,
Tim Fagan DDS, MS, FAAPD
Chair, Department of Developmental Sciences
OU College of Dentistry