Mission
To improve oral health of populations through the education of Dental Public Health specialists.

Graduates of the program will work:

1.        To encourage the development and maintenance of community dentistry programs,

2.        To increase the use of preventive dentistry programs in community dentistry programs,

3.        To improve access to dental care for underserved populations, and the quality of care for all populations,

4.        To stimulate research in Dental Public Health with emphasis on disease surveillance, health services research, program evaluation, and causes of diseases.

Program Goals

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine Dental Public Health Residency has three goals that are evaluated during the residency period and three goals that are evaluated after completion of the residency.

1.        Residents will know and understand the knowledge base of dental public health.  The four sets of  knowledge competencies include:

·          Program Administration and Health Policy

·          Epidemiology and Research Methods

·          Oral Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

·          Oral Health Services Delivery System  

2.        Residents will demonstrate skills needed for the practice of Dental Public Health.  The ten skill competencies include:  

·          Plan oral health programs for populations

·          Select interventions and strategies for the prevention and control of oral diseases and promotion of oral health

·          Develop resources implement and manage oral health programs for populations

·          Incorporate ethical standards in oral health programs and activities

·          Evaluate and monitor dental care delivery system

·          Design and understand the use of surveillance systems to monitor oral health

·          Communicate and collaborate with groups and individuals on oral health issues

·          Advocate for, implement and evaluate public health policy, , and regulations to protect and promote the public’s oral health

·          Critique and synthesize scientific literature

·          Design and conduct population-based studies to answer oral and public health questions

3.        Residents will gain professional development skills needed for leadership in dental public health.

The program is three years in length, or two years if the candidate holds a prior MPH degree or its equivalent.  Residency projects include a minimum of one major and one minor administrative projects, as well as one major and one minor research projects.

Application Information