Craniofacial Fellowship Program | School of Dental Medicine

Dr. Manish Valiathan, Program Director

Dr. Valiathan completed his initial dental (BDS) and orthodontic training (MDS) at Manipal University, the #1 ranked dental school in India. He joined �ǿմ�ý in 1996 and re-trained in dentistry (DDS) and orthodontics (MSD). He is a tenured Associate Professor with appointments in the Departments of Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Valiathan is the founding Program Director of the Surgical and Craniofacial Fellowship program, a program through �ǿմ�ý and University Hospitals. He is an active contributor to the Craniofacial Biology Research Group at Case.

Fellows accepted into the Craniofacial and Special Care Orthodontics Fellowship Program will be provided with advanced clinical, didactic, and research training during the 1-year program of study in the management of children with facial differences. We anticipate most fellows to go through a 1-year program of study.

Graduates of the program will be exposed to the diagnoses, treatment planning, and clinical execution of orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic services to a large clinical volume of pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients who have congenital and acquired craniofacial abnormalities. The goal of the program is to train the fellow to attain a level of competency that enables them to recognize, diagnose and treat patients with craniofacial anomalies and special needs in a hospital-based, team care setting.

Fellows participate in craniofacial and cleft conferences, review treatment plans and progress notes, and provide clinical care to patients under direct supervision. All complex treatments are discussed with the attending on a case-by-case basis. New patient exams are done on a regular basis and fellows work up cases (clinical exam, study models analysis, CBCT evaluations) and review the treatment plans with the faculty. The fellows will perform all surgical treatment plans, cephalometric prediction tracings, model surgery, and splint construction. They will also scrub in and participate in the OR activities/surgical procedures.

Rotations with other services will form an integral part of the program. The principal rotations will be with the departments of plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and pediatric dentistry. In addition, the fellow will be exposed to speech pathology, pediatric otolaryngology, genetics, and occupational therapy.

The format of the program allows for constant one-on-one supervision that will allow for subjective assessments of the fellow's understanding of the subject matter, clinical skills, and patient management skills. This will be supplemented by weekly sessions with the faculty, where their understanding will be further tested. At the end of each semester, a written examination will form part of the assessment of progress.

Program Length: 12 Months
Two admission cycles are available: Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 and July 1 - June 30.
Tuition: approximately $5,628 per year; Stipend available for eligible candidates
Application Cycle: Mid-May through the first week of February

Contact Us

More information about admission to the program can be obtained by contacting the following:

Manish Valiathan, DDS, MSD, Program Director, at 216.368.0673

The Craniofacial Clinic Coordinator, at 216.368.4331

OR the Graduate Studies Administrator, at 216.368.1168

General Application Guidelines

Admission requires MSD or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to see that all materials are submitted.

All applicants must:

Pay a non-refundable application fee of $145.

Notice to Re-Applicants

Re-applicants must fully complete a new application and pay all fees.

All materials should be sent through PASS.

Additional inquiries to the Office of Graduate Studies:

�ǿմ�ý
School of Dental Medicine

Samson Pavilion
10900 Euclid Ave - Suite 439C
Cleveland, OH 44106

Phone: 216.368.1168
Email: dentalgrad@case.edu

Early applications are recommended. Incomplete applications will not be sent to the program director for review.

Additional Requirements and Information for International Students

Applicants who have graduated from a non-English speaking dental school and for whom English is not their first language must take or IELTS (International English Language Test System). In order to be admitted, the applicant must score above one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL Paper-Based Test: 550
- TOEFL Computer-Based Test: 213
- TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 90
- IELTS Test: 6.5
The TOEFL identification number for �ǿմ�ý is: 1105

The Department code for the School of Dental Medicine is: 38