#  Dental Public Health Program - Rural Track 

 



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## Program overview

The Dental Public Health (DPH) Program – Rural Track addresses gaps in dental education and access to care for underserved and vulnerable populations in rural areas of New Hampshire. As a state without a dental school or residency programs, New Hampshire collaborates with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) to develop its dental workforce. The program equips dentists with advanced skills and cultural competency to meet the needs of underserved communities, particularly in resource-limited rural areas.

This program aims to expand the training network for dental professionals, improve the quality of care focused on population health, and encourage residents to remain in New Hampshire after completing their post-doctoral training. The DPH Rural Track certificate training program is funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Residents will:

- Enhance knowledge and skills in all phases of general dentistry.
- Serve as primary care providers for individuals and groups in rural settings, providing emergency and comprehensive care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
- Plan and deliver multidisciplinary care for patients with special needs in rural communities.
- Manage oral health care delivery using patient and practice management principles.
- Function effectively within interdisciplinary rural healthcare teams.
- Apply evidence-based decision-making, teledentistry, and technology to oral health care.
- Embrace professional ethics, lifelong learning, patient-centered care, and cultural diversity in their practice.
- Understand and address the oral health needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, including older adults, through community service.

**Tuition/stipend:**

- Full tuition coverage by HSDM.
- Modest stipend to support living expenses.

**Eligibility:**

- **Preferred Qualification**: Master of Public Health degree or its equivalent.
- **Eligibility**:
    - Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental school.
    - U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
    - Eligible for a New Hampshire dental license.

### Degrees/certificates offered

#### Certificate only

A two-year program culminating in a certificate in dental public health.

#### Master of Medical Sciences (MMSc)/certificate

A three-year program culminating in a MMSc degree in oral biology or dental education and a certificate in dental public health.

#### Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc)/certificate

A four-year program culminating in a DMSc degree in oral biology or dental education and a certificate in dental public health.



 

 

 

###  Program details and academic policies 

 





###    Accreditation  expand\_more  

### Accreditation

The program in dental public health is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more on the [CODA website](https://chatgpt.com/c/674bb80c-2088-8009-a978-6cb22f5741d6#).

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

### Rural track dental residency brochure 

 

HSDM's Rural Track residency programs focus on providing care to underserved and vulnerable populations in rural New Hampshire. Combining clinical excellence with interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and population health approaches, these programs emphasize rural care delivery and health promotion to address community needs.



 [Download the program brochure to learn east](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/2025-01/harvard_dental_school_brochure_lr-compressed.pdf) 

 



      ![country two lane road with a red barn in the distance](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2025-01/NH-rural-track.jpg?h=b26af281&itok=hBSx6_0W) 

 

 

  

 



 

 

 

 

##  Program director 

 



  [### Catherine Hayes

 ](/people/catherine-hayes) [catherine\_hayes@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:catherine_hayes@hsdm.harvard.edu)Chair, Department of Oral Health Policy & Epidemiology

Associate Professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology

 

 

 

      ![Headshot of Catherine Hayes](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-07/Catherine_Hayes.jpg?itok=EBbEG_et) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

###  Contact us 

 



 [ draftsApplication questions](mailto:age_admissions@hsdm.harvard.edu) [ draftsProgram-specific inquiries](mailto:DPH@hsdm.harvard.edu)