- DMD/MS Program
- DMD/MPH Program
- Seven Year BS/DMD Joint Degree Program
- Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Eight Year Early Assurance Program
- Adelphi University-TUSDM Eight Year Early Assurance Program
DMD/MS Program
As the importance of evidenced-based dentistry grows, the need for dental students to think critically and use scientific support for decision-making also increases. The combined Doctor of Dental Medicine and Master of Science in Dental Research (DMD/MS) will allow a select group of DMD candidates the opportunity to enroll in TUSDM's Master of Science in Dental Research program, earning both degrees in five years. Aspiring dentists will be prepared to be better clinicians by taking part in the scientific process and bringing an evidence-based perspective to clinical practice, as well as improving their ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary research team addressing issues of behavioral, environmental, socioeconomic and genetic factors in human disease in general, and specifically in dental, oral and craniofacial diseases.
Dentists with advanced degrees are in great demand to serve as faculty at dental schools where, in addition to clinical responsibilities and teaching, they will have the ability to conduct research and mentor students.
Program and Courses
For the combined DMD/MS program, students must successfully complete all of the requirements for each degree.
In addition to the DMD didactic and clinical requirements, students in the combined program will need to earn an additional 40 credits. Of those, 18 will be earned by participating in research, 11 will be earned from the 7 core MS courses (listed below). The remaining 11 credits will be earned by either elective courses in the Advanced and Graduate Education curriculum, some of which are available online via TUSK, or certain DMD courses.
Core Courses
Introduction to Research
Scientific and Technical Writing
Critical Evaluation of Scientific Literature
Introduction of Biostatistics
Principles of Biostatistics
Epidemiology & Critical Thinking in the Practice of Dentistry
Biostatistics/Epidemiology II
To apply
First year students in good standing at TUSDM with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (or 85%) are welcome to apply. A mentor and a research project must be identified before applying. Two letters of recommendation, one from the student's mentor, as well as a personal statement, are also required. The application deadline is April 15.
DMD/MPH
There is a gap between research findings, oral disease prevention, health promotion practices and knowledge of the public and the health professions. Public health dentists promote oral health by:
- Assessing the oral health needs of the community
- Developing and implementing oral health policy
- Providing programs and services that address oral health issues
The combined program will allow academically excellent students to earn the DMD and Master of Public Health degree in less time than would be required to complete both programs consecutively.
Program Highlights
- 4.5 or 5-year program
- Students who enter the program at the start of their third year of predoctoral studies:
- 4.5 MPH courses as a DMD student, and 8.5 MPH courses the year following dental school.
- Both degrees conferred upon completion of the program
- Tufts' MPH is fully accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH)
Sample Curriculum
Principles of Biostatistics (w/lab)
Health Behavior and Health Communication
Principles of Epidemiology
Public Health and Health Care
Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Health
Public Health Research Methods
ALE Planning
Healthcare Organization: Budgeting and Management
ALE Implementation
Electives
To apply
Candidates must be in good academic standing at TUSDM, demonstrate a high level of interest and potential to pursue a career as a dentist with graduate training in public health, and have an interest in pursuing board certification in dental public health. The personal narrative must describe the applicant's career objectives. Applicants with an interest in becoming board certified in dental public health will be given preference for admission. Rolling admissions. Priority application deadline is Jan. 15 for fall start; October 25 for spring start.
Download more application instructions and a sample schedule of classes.
See the DMD/MPH Program Brochure.
TUSDM Seven Year BS/DMD Joint Degree Program
Tufts undergraduates who are completing their first year are eligible to apply for a program which will allow them to complete their undergraduate degree in the College of Liberal Arts and their degree at TUSDM in seven years rather than the traditional eight. Applications will be accepted between March 1 and April 1 each year. Interviews will be conducted in late April and preliminary acceptance letters mailed out in May.
Successful candidates for the program will likely have maintained a 3.2 GPA overall, a 3.2 GPA in dental school prerequisite courses, and will earn competitive DAT scores. Final acceptance to the seven-year program will be made after conclusion of the second year of study at Tufts and review of the DAT examination results.
Applicants to the program will have completed either the introductory chemistry or the introductory biology sequence by the end of their freshman year. Students in the program will most likely have to take courses over the summer in order to fulfill all requirements. While only seven years of academic tuition will be charged, there will be additional charges for summer school courses.
Students matriculating in this program will have to declare their intended major at the point of communicating their intention to be part of this initiative. Participants will develop an individualized plan of study in consultation with their major advisor, pre-health profession advisor and the Dean of Admissions at the Dental School. Students can opt out of the accelerated seven-year program agreement and complete both degrees in the traditional eight-year timeframe; however, they will incur eight years of tuition.
Download the BS/DMD Seven-Year Combined Degree Application (PDF).
For more information on the B.S./D.M.D. program please visit the Tufts Undergraduate B.S/D.M.D page.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Eight Year Early Assurance Program
Tufts University and Tufts Dental School have also established a program that allows students to complete their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in eight years. Students apply to the program after during the spring of their Sophomore year. Conditional acceptance is granted after an interview at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Final acceptance is granted after students complete four years of undergraduate study and maintain minimum academic standards. Students will also be required to attend a final interview during the fall of their senior year.
Download the Eight Year Early Assurance Program Application (PDF).
Adelphi University-TUSDM Eight Year Early Assurance Program
Adelphi University, located in Garden City, New York and TUSDM offer a combined BS/DMD Eight-Year Program. Tufts interviews a select number of Adelphi students after the first semester of study at Adelphi. Accepted applicants are notified within a few weeks of the interview.
While attending Adelphi University for four years, all students in the program must select biology as their major field of study. Successful candidates will have maintained a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA and will earn minimum DAT scores.
Students in the Adelphi-TUSDM program follow the same dental school curriculum as all other dental students and are scheduled to study and complete clinical requirements in four years.
Learn more about the program at the Adelphi University website.
