International Relations

International Education Program

On This Page:

• Long Distance Learning Programs 
• MS Dental Distance Education Program 
• International Relations Student Aid Trips  

Tufts School of Dental Medicine has long offered onsite certificate and M.S. programs for students around the world. Tufts has been able to train dentists in new dental techniques while ensuring that these students will successfully perform these procedures after completing the program. Tufts affiliated programs have never been short on attendance and have generated significant income for the university.

International course offerings and onsite learning for practicing dentists now presents a new set of challenges for Tufts School of Dental Medicine. Many dentists would like to get advanced degrees but cannot afford to take the time to close their practices for 2-3 years. The emergence of the European Union has also influenced the International learning needs. Dentists practicing in Europe now need a Masters Degree in order to practice anywhere in the EU. Thus, many schools in the EU have begun to develop their own graduate programs using the UDS model, or to align themselves with the US Dental Schools. Many Dental schools, including BU, NYU, USC, and UCLA are developing or operating long distance learning programs.

Types of Long Distance Learning Programs

• Short Continuing Education programs ( clinical)
• Certificate/MS program (clinical)
• MS programs (non clinical)

Present Status

• Short Continuing Education programs

Tufts School of Dental Medicine has successfully given many short Continuing Education courses. Traditionally these have been run by sending Tufts faculty abroad for durations of 3- 14 days. Conversely, there have been successful courses where participants have to Tufts for a 1-2 week program.

In September 2003, Tufts Dental School took a great leap forward by holding a one week video conferencing course in conjunction with the University of Danube. Renting the video conferencing equipment and space from the medical school, 7 dentists spent 5 days in interactive video conferencing with Dr. Slavicek in Austria. This was a resounding success. Cost to run the program was approximately $7,000 (this did not include speakers fees).

MS Dental Distance Education Program

Beginning in September 2005, the TUSDM launched a MS degree program through a long distance learning format.

Adhering to the same requirements and standards as the existing Master of Science (M.S.), this 3 year program is designed to allow dentists to obtain their M.S. degree from any location in the world. This course uses a combination of Interactive Web Environment, lectures on CD, close interaction with faculty and some limited time in Boston. It is designed for dentists who want to further their education but cannot be physically present in the Boston area full time.

The first year of the program will be dedicated to course work including craniofacial pain studies, statistics, epidemiology, review of scientific literature and technical writing. The last two years are dedicated to thesis work. In addition to a Master’s degree, students will receive a one-year fellowship in Craniofacial Pain at Tufts??. Candidates from India, Italy, Canada and the United States are currently enrolled.

For more information about this program visit the Dental Distance education website at http://dde.dental.tufts.edu/ or contact Dara Mehta at dara.mehta@tufts.edu

International Relations Student Aid Trips

Under the guidance of the Public Health and Community Service department, Tufts dental students and faculty have the opportunity to travel internationally to provide dental services to underserved populations. These trips are organized for faculty and staff to broaden their horizons and practice dental medicine in differing areas of the world. Dental Missions serve to educate both the clinical skills and international views of students and faculty.