Pediatric Dental Center

Looking Ahead

“What's most exciting about this program is that it's still young and evolving,” says Joseph Samartano Jr., D.D.S., Chief of the Division of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at St. Joseph Hospital for Specialty Care. The Pediatric Dental Center boasts an exceptionally talented staff that is challenged by complex and interesting dental cases. Recognizing the growing shortage of dental professionals and the difficulty of attracting staff to under-served areas, the Dental Center also gives students an opportunity to learn and work. Currently, 4th year dental students from Tufts University and 2nd year dental hygiene students from the Community College of RI are gaining valuable skills at the Center.

Plans to continue to expand service, facility and staff are in the Dental Center's future. Another Goal is to develop protocol for providing restorative and surgical proceedures utilizing conscious sedation. Ideally, the Dental Center would like to become a hub for children in Rhode Island where they can receive preventative school-based dental care as well as full-mouth oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia in the operating room.