DMD/Master of Public Health
With an increased awareness of the need for the prevention and control of oral disease, especially in vulnerable populations, dental public health is playing an increasingly visible role in good overall health. The DMD/MPH program gives oral health professionals the skills to assess, develop and implement innovative programs in community settings as well as across diverse populations.
What is dental public health?
As defined by the American Board of Dental Public Health, it is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts.
What would my course of study look like?
DMD/MPH students must complete 13 credits in the MPH program in addition to their DMD courses. The program can be completed in four and one-half or five years. Students begin taking MPH courses in their third year and take at least one course each semester.
What are the DMD/MPH career opportunities?
Public health dentists work in three major areas: government (local, state and federal levels), education, and in the workforce. Possible career settings include dental education, public and private research entities, philanthropies, community-based practice, government agencies, and insurance companies.
What courses will I need to take?
As for all MPH students, those pursuing the DMD/MPH must complete MPH core course requirements: one course each in of the five core knowledge areas, a methods course, a health care budgeting and management course, and the Applied Learning Experience (ALE). The ALE requires students to synthesize knowledge acquired in coursework and apply it to a public health project of their own design involving at least 160 hours of practicum work. In addition, students also take Integration of Dental Public Health, a monthly seminar held throughout the program to help integrate public health work and dental studies. As the MPH in this program is a generalist degree, the remaining courses are taken as electives to complete the necessary credits for the public health degree.
Application Process
Students can apply to the program during their second year of dental education. For more details please visit the DMD/MPH program admissions page on the Tufts School of Medicine website.