This program exists to provide academic credit to those interested in public health. Members of the Department of Public Health and Community Service (PHCS) perform innovative and vital research that contributes to diverse areas of dental public health. Through data science and evidence-based research, students work with faculty supervisors to:
- Measure disease frequency at the population level
- Understand the root causes of disease and the impact and synergies of risk factors (epidemiology)
- Explore health economics and the inter-relationships of the health system (health services research)
- Communicate with communities and engage underserved and vulnerable populations in research
- Address social determinants of health
- Develop and evaluate need-specific programs
- Explore the BigMouth database to identify improvements in oral health
We use data science to collaborate across Tufts, supported by our biostatistics team, and with members of other institutions to effect positive health change in Massachusetts and the broader United States.
Our three biostatisticians are involved in the early stages of research design, data management, and data analysis, and they contribute to the high-research productivity of TUSDM. They mentor faculty and students on how to implement high-quality investigations, how to write statistical code, and choose the most appropriate statistical analysis methods.
In summary, PHCS faculty are committed to improving population health via public health research strategies and innovation, as well as mentoring students to complete high-quality research projects and form meaningful collaborations.
Take a moment to explore selected research studies that have been completed and successfully presented at TUSDM’s annual Bates-Andrews Research Day or at national scientific meetings that are listed below.
Development and validation of a survey assessing the oral health knowledge of healthcare interpreters (Student: Samara Aoun; Faculty Mentor: Nicole Holland)
Assessment of oral health education materials on dental school websites (Student: Lujane Barakat; Faculty Mentor: Nicole Holland)
Evaluation of self-reported oral health scores stratified by sex in Zambia oral health outreach program (Student: Olivia Marino; Faculty Mentor: John Morgan)
Evaluation of extraction patterns for oral health program evaluation (Student: Nicholas Wong; Faculty Mentor: John Morgan)
Assessing Rural Zambian Oral Health Needs Utilizing Treatment Urgency Scores (Student: Ashley Gagnon; Faculty Mentor: John Morgan)
Effectiveness of dental desensitization using sensory tool kit in ASD children (Student: Bijal Amin; Faculty Mentors: Martha Forero and Professor Kathryn Dolan)
Evaluation of the use of intraoral cameras for community service-learning rotations (Students: Jessica Restrepo and Xiara Michelle Moreno; Faculty Mentor: Karin Arsenault)
Competency domains of Dental Public Health diplomates—co-authored by Athanasios Zavras
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental students—co-authored by Karin Arsenault
The oral health status of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—co-authored by John Morgan and Matthew Finkelman
Experiences with at-home oral care of caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities—co-authored by John Morgan and Matthew Finkelman
Building oral health research infrastructure: the first national oral health survey of Rwanda – co-authored by John Morgan, Sarah Pagni, and Matthew Finkelman
Oral health conditions and their correlates in Rwanda—co-authored by John Morgan, Shruti Jain, Sarah Pagni, and Matthew Finkelman
Language access history in dentistry—authored by Nicole Holland
Language-related communication challenges and their effect on the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain—co-authored by Nicole Holland
Dental fluorosis among people and livestock living on Gihaya Island in Lake Kivu, Rwanda – co-authored by John Morgan
Diet and Fluorosis-Related Stigma on Gihaya Island, Western Province, Rwanda – co-authored by John Morgan
Pain management for dental medicine—co-authored by Nicole Holland
A dental desensitization program for children with autism spectrum disorder—co-authored by Professor Kathryn Dolan, Martha Forero, and Matthew Finkelman
11/01/2023 – 11/01/2024: Transitioning Into a New System that Can (TRANSTC). The aim of the program is to pilot test several innovations in healthcare delivery to improve the oral health and quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Principal Investigator: Dr. Athanasios Zavras. Research Sponsor: CareQuest Foundation
10/01/2023-10/01/2026 PRIDE project. A collaboration with various key stakeholders at the State level and in community health centers to assess the implementation of teledentistry and mobile dental services for underserved residents of the State. Principal Investigator: Dr. Athanasios Zavras. Co-investigators: Cathryn Dolan and John Morgan. Sponsor: Department of Public Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
09/30/2022 – 09/29/2025: Promoting equitable access to language services in health and human services. Office of Minority Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services – PI: Nicole Holland
07/01/2022 – 06/30/2027: Integrated Care to Address Complexities of Oral Health for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations: Interprofessional Teamwork, Cultural Competence, Health Literacy, and Social Determinants of Health. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce – DPHCS Co-investigators: Athanasios Zavras, Cynthia Yered and Karin Arsenault
01/2021 – 12/2023: Next Fifty Initiative: Developing an Oral Health and Interprofessional Community Program on Successful Aging – PI: Karin Arsenault