# Advanced Education in General Dentistry—Rural Track ## Advanced Education in General Dentistry—Rural Track Serve rural communities in New Hampshire and earn a $50,000 stipend. [ arrow\_forward Apply now (application deadline, February 1) ](#apply-dets) ![aerial view of Dartmouth Hitchcock](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-11/EducationFocus_Dartmouth-Hitchcock_aerialview%20%281%29.jpg?itok=xMJarRDm) ## Expand your clinical expertise while expanding access to care Earn a certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)—Rural Track from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. This 12-month, HRSA-funded postdoctoral program prepares dentists to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in underserved rural communities across New Hampshire. Through advanced clinical training and community-based practice, residents strengthen skills in complex case management while gaining experience in population health, cultural competency, and interdisciplinary care delivery. Participants receive a $50,000 stipend and graduate prepared for clinical leadership roles serving vulnerable and rural populations while supporting workforce development in New Hampshire. check\_box [### Program overvew ](#overview)Format, duration, and degree details people [### Who should apply? ](#who-apply)Is this program right for you? app\_registration [### Admission details ](#apply-dets)Deadlines, fees, and how to apply architecture [### Program structure ](#structure)Key features and learner benefits ## What you need to know: Admissions at a glance SortAdmissions detailInformationApplication deadline February 1 Number of residents accepted into program 3 Program start June 29 Program duration 12 months Learning format In person Degree/certificate earned Certificate only Application fee $95 (non-refundable); [**pay online**](https://secure.touchnet.net/C20832_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=5&SINGLESTORE=true) Tuition N/A Program stipend **$50,000 per year** Program fees - Harvard Student Health Plan: $1,592 (basic) or $4,202 (supplemental) \* - Facility fee: $2,128 \* - Malpractice insurance: $554.84 *\*The facility and health fees are paid by the program, except for the malpractice insurance.* ### Who should apply? Candidates must - Hold a **DDS or DMD degree** from a **CODA-accredited dental school** - **Demonstrate a commitment** to advancing oral health in rural communities - Be **eligible** for dental licensure in the state of **New Hampshire** ![dentist showing a dental impression to a child ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-11/Rural-prog.jpeg?h=2f49aa88&itok=sJ5JJeK7) ## Why I chose the Rural Track ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_3_4__480x640/public/2025-11/Research%20Focus_Sara%20Alibakhshi.jpg?itok=RkYHOPfR) I had the privilege of working with community health organizations, where I experienced firsthand the transformative power of outreach and service. These experiences have had a profound impact on me, both professionally and personally. It’s moments like these that remind me why I chose this path—to make a difference where it’s needed most. Sara Alibakhshi, PD25 ## Apply now To apply to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)—Rural Track program, review the application requirements and follow the steps below. - **Application deadline:** February 1 - **Cost of attendance:** N/A; stipend-based program ### Admission details and instructions expand\_more #### Checklist - Pay non-refundable $95[ application fee](https://secure.touchnet.net/C20832_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=5&SINGLESTORE=true). ##### **Required documents for submission through the** [**ADEA PASS**](https://www.adea.org/pathways-to-oral-health/apply-to-advanced-programs/adea-pass-applicants) **application system:** - Personal Statement *The personal statement should be a maximum one-page, single-spaced essay outlining why you wish to join the program and why you are a strong candidate.* - Supplemental essay *In addition to the personal statement, HSDM requires a supplemental essay (maximum 3,000 characters, including spaces) responding to the following prompt: “Tell us about a time when you engaged in a difficult conversation with someone whose perspective differed from your own. Were you able to find common ground? If so, how? If not, what were the primary barriers?”* - CV/Resume - Dental School Transcript - All College Transcripts - Transcript Evaluation (*if applicable*) - Institutional Evaluation Form - Professional Evaluation Form 1 - Professional Evaluation Form 2 - Professional Evaluation Form 3 - Official TOEFL Scores\* - Official NBDE/INBDE scores (*NBDE/INBDE scores are required prior to matriculation but not at the time of application; recommended but not required for international candidates.)* [***Review TOEFL waiver and requirements.***](/node/1596776/) --- #### Additional information - A non-refundable application fee of $95 is required. [**Pay here.**](https://secure.touchnet.net/C20832_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=5&SINGLESTORE=true) - Applicants **must hold a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited dental school** by the time of enrollment - Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident and eligible to hold a New Hampshire dental license. #### Evaluation guidelines - The IEF is required and may come from a postdoctoral program or research advisor (e.g., a PI). - At least one PEF must be from your most recent academic director or employer (if applicable). ### Program details and academic policies ### Clinical training sites expand\_more Residents will rotate through several sites, gaining experience in rural healthcare environments: - Dental Health Works (Keene) - Mid-State Health Center (Bristol) - Greater Seacoast Community Health (Somersworth) - Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon) - Coos County Family Health Services (Berlin) - Oral Healthcare@Home, Inc. (Manchester) - Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center (Nashua) - Monadnock Perio & Implant Center (Keene) ### Didactic and research components expand\_more - Weekly seminars via Zoom - Research project and poster presentation required - Occasional in-person sessions at HSDM and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center ### Accreditation expand\_more **Accreditation** - The **Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)** 12-month program is accredited by the **Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)**. - CODA is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the **U.S. Department of Education**. - **Contact CODA:** - Phone: (312) 440-4653 - Address: 401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60611-4250 - Website: [coda.ada.org](http://coda.ada.org) - Accreditation of the program **does not constitute recognition of any dental specialty status**. ### Protecting student privacy expand\_more HSDM has multiple measures in place to protect student privacy, both on campus in the classroom, and in a remote learning environment. These practices protect all students regardless of their mode of instruction. - Each student is provided with a unique Harvard ID number and Harvard key login, and provisioned unique accounts for different systems used at the school for enrollment, classroom participation and accessing student records. - Access to these accounts is additionally protected by two-factor authentication, which ensures that only the student to whom the account has been assigned can access the account, using a registered personal device. - Student identity is verified during the onboarding process by presentation of a government ID and through a [CORI](https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-criminal-offender-record-information-cori). ## Quick links [ arrow\_forward Apply through ADEA Pass ](https://www.adea.org/home/application-services/apply-to-advanced-programs/adea-pass-applicants) [ arrow\_forward Pay your application fee online ](https://secure.touchnet.net/C20832_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=5&SINGLESTORE=true) Graduate Training Opportunity ### Ready to expand your impact beyond the clinic? Consider HSDM’s Dental Public Health (DPH) program, which offers multiple pathways to develop leadership, policy, and research skills that advance community oral health. [Learn more about the DPH program east](/dental-public-health) ![decorative use](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-04/public%20health.jpg?h=c4f10d4d&itok=V-hcFIGn) ## AEGD - rural track program news Explore the latest stories and updates on how the AEGD – Rural Track program is improving dental care in rural New Hampshire. [### Rural dental residency program receives a lifeline from donor organizations ](/news/2025/11/rural-dental-residency-program-receives-lifeline-donor-organizations) November 05, 2025 When federal funds to HSDM’s rural residency program went unpaid, a coalition of regional partners stepped up to secure the program’s future. ![rural road](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-11/rural-NH.jpg?itok=PtXjwAHP) [### Rural dental residency program in New Hampshire created a pipeline of young dentists to serve in remote areas ](/news/2025/07/rural-dental-residency-program-new-hampshire-created-pipeline-young-dentists-serve) July 14, 2025 The state’s most vulnerable dental patients are now at risk as federal funding for the program goes unpaid ![map of VT and NH](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-07/Map%20thumbnail.jpg?itok=px_0t9ns) [### Bridging the dental workforce gap in New Hampshire ](/news/bridging-dental-workforce-gap-new-hampshire) November 15, 2023 New Hampshire’s scenic beauty stretches from the state’s rocky coastline to the majestic White Mountains, however behind its picturesque image is a less idyllic landscape for dental care. Access to care is challenging for rural populations in the Granite... ![nh-cover-photo-sq.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/nh-cover-photo-sq.jpg?itok=oMNz2nnI) [### HSDM Secures $3 Million Grant to Expand Dental Public Health in Rural Areas ](/news/hsdm-secures-3-million-grant-expand-dental-public-health-rural-areas) June 25, 2020 Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology (OHPE) in collaboration with the Office of Global and Community Health (OGCH) was recently awarded a $3 million postdoctoral training grant from the Health Resources and... ![Rural New Hampshire](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/nhruralscene_web.jpg?itok=gGnoT-Ni) arrow\_back arrow\_forward ## Program director [### John Anthony Zdanowicz ](/people/john-anthony-zdanowicz) [john\_zdanowicz@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:john_zdanowicz@hsdm.harvard.edu)Assistant Professor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology ![Dr. Zdanowicz](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/DrZ.jpg?itok=00mmyR1J) ## AEGD program—rural track Meet our team. [ arrow\_forward Part-time faculty ](/hsdm-directory?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_peoplebydepartmentpr%3A179716&f%5B1%5D=hwp_c_peoplerole12%3A67721)