Javascript Menu by Deluxe-Menu.com

DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

Raul Garcia, DMD, MMedSc, Chair, Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, and Ana Karina Mascarenhas, BDS, MPH, DrPH, Director, Dental Public Health

Master of Science in Dentistry in Dental Public Health (for Dentists)
The MSD program is a minimum of one year in duration and entails a field research project or thesis. The program provides the student with broad knowledge and practical experience in epidemiology and biostatistics, health care delivery, social and cultural determinants of health behavior, preventive dentistry, and health education. Students take courses at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and relevant courses at the Boston University School of Public Health. The courses form the matrix from which directed field activities evolve. Students have the opportunity to conduct research and are encouraged to publish papers in professional journals. The program prepares the dentist for a career in dental public health. It is designed to meet the educational requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health. The department encourages students also to enroll in the one-year CAGS program in Dental Public Health in order to meet the residency requirement of the American Board of Dental Public Health.

Doctor of Science in Dentistry in Dental Public Health (for Dentists)
This minimum three-year program in Dental Public Health trains dentists for leadership roles in formulating health policy, in academics, and government settings. A competency examination and successful defense of an original dissertation are required. The program provides the student with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in epidemiology and biostatistics. The program also provides broad knowledge and practical experience in health care management and finance, social and cultural determinants of health behavior, preventive dentistry, and health education. Students take courses at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and relevant courses at the Boston University School of Public Health. Students have several opportunities to conduct research and publish papers in professional journals.

Dual Programs for Dentists
1) Clinical Speciality / Master of Science in Dental Public Health
This minimum three-year program combines the requirements of clinical specialty training with the requirements of the MSD in Dental Public Health. The program exposes future clinical specialists to health care issues at a societal level through in-depth clinical training and study of a wide range of current issues in health care delivery and public health. The duration of the program depends on clinical specialty training requirements. The MSD in Dental Public Health is normally of one year's duration in the dual program. The department encourages students also to enroll in the one-year CAGS program in Dental Public Health in order to meet the residency requirement of the American Board of Dental Public Health.

2) Clinical Specialty/Doctor of Science in Dentistry in Dental Public Health
This minimum five-year program combines a clinical specialty with dental public health graduate training in the principles, practices, and issues relevant to Dental Public Health. This program prepares dentists for leadership roles in academic and government settings. The duration of the program depends on the clinical specialty training requirements. The Department of Dental Public Health encourages students also to enroll in an additional one-year CAGS program in Dental Public Health in order to meet the residency requirement of the American Board of Dental Public Health.

Master of Science in Dental Public Health (for Dental Auxiliaries)
The MS degree program is a minimum of two semesters and is designed for hygienists and dental assistants to develop and enhance the managerial and analytical skills essential to attain leadership roles in today's changing dental health care field. Career-oriented applications of knowledge, theory, and experience are an integral part of the courses in biostatistics and epidemiology, research methods, management, dental care issues, and health care management and finance. Because learning by experience teaches additional skills important in career settings, a project or practicum of the student's choice is a significant part of the program. Projects may include survey design and analysis; educational program development; community program planning, implementation, and/or evaluation; media development; and marketing/public relations. Graduates of the MS program in dental public health pursue careers in business, dental education, and industry. Applicants must hold a certificate in dental hygiene, dental assisting, or dental technology and should have either a bachelor's degree or equivalent education and related experience. To receive the MS degree, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average while fulfilling the curriculum requirements and complete a project or practicum.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Dental Public Health
A one-year residency in dental public health is offered to dentists who hold an MPH or equivalent degree. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine provides a program for individuals interested in careers in state and federal health departments, community health programs, and health maintenance organizations. The program is designed to fulfill the residency requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health and is individualized to the needs of the applicant. Students may take courses offered by Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and by other schools and colleges at Boston University.

Curriculum
The following curriculum forms the core of the Dental Public Health programs. The year I curriculum fulfills the didactic requirements for the MSD and the MS in Dental Public Health. Students in the DScD program will take didactic courses for years I, II, and III as outlined, as well as required doctoral-level courses with other schools in the university. Additional course selection is contingent on the specific program of study.

For the CAGS program, based on the Program Director’s review of the resident's self-assessment, transcripts, and a draft of the resident's proposed residency plan, individualized programs will be developed. Programs can comprise both coursework and a dental public health project or solely a dental public health project..

Year 1 (MS, MSD, DScD)

SDM OB 830 Research Writing 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 741 Behavioral Sciences 1 cr, 1st sem.*
SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 766 Issues in Providing Oral Health Services to Populations 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 803 Biostatistics 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 804 Advanced Topics in Statistical Analysis 2 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 806 Environmental Health 2 cr, 1st sem
SDM PH 807 Prevention and Health Promotion in Dentistry 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 808 Health Care Management and Finance 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 810 Introduction to Dental Public Health 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 812 Oral Epidemiology 4 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 817 Grand Rounds 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 821/822 Dental Public Health Literature Review 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 831 Presentation Skills 2 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 872 Current Issues in Dental Public Health 2 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 892 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds 1-2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.

SDM PH 900 Directed Study in Dental Public Health 1-6 cr., 1st or 2nd sem
SDM PH 911 Public Health Project 4 cr, 2nd sem. (MS, MSD only)
SPH EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology 4 cr, 2nd sem.*

Year 2 (DScD)

SDM PE 817 Grand Rounds 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 821/822 Dental Public Health Literature Review 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 840 Advanced Topics in Health Care Management and Finance 2 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 893 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds 1-2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 900 Directed Study in Dental Public Health 1-6 cr, 1st or 2nd sem.
SDM PH 991 Research 4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SPH EP 721 Survey Methods for Public Health 4 cr, 1st sem.*
SPH SB 815 Program Evaluation Research 4 cr, 2nd sem.*
SPH SB 820 Assessment and Planning for Health Promotion 4 cr, 1st sem.*

Year 3 (DScD)

SDM PE 817 Grand Rounds 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 822 Dental Public Health Literature Review 2cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 880 Program Planning and Management 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PH 894 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds 1-2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SPH EP 855 Design Issues in Epidemiology 4 cr, 1st sem.*
SDM PH 900 Directed Study in Dental Public Health 1-6 cr, 1st or 2nd sem.
SDM PH 991 Research 4 cr 1st and 2nd sem.
SPH HS 724 Practical Accounting Applications in Health Care Management 2 cr, 1st sem.*
SPH EH 708 Introduction to Environmental Health 2 cr, 2nd sem.*

* See School of Public Health Bulletin for a detailed description. Course selection may vary according to School of Public Health schedule. http://www.bu.edu/bulletins/sph/ (you must be online to access this link).

At the discretion of the Program Director and/or Department Chair, research students may participate in clinical activities during their research years.