Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) in Dental Public Health

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.

Clinical Specialty/DScD 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.

CAGS in Operative Dentistry/DScD in Dental Public Health

After successfully completing two years of advanced operative dentistry and a minimum of three years of dental public health and a dissertation, students receive a CAGS in Operative Dentistry and a DScD in Dental Public Health.

CAGS in Pediatric Dentistry/DScD in Dental Public Health

The combined program offers clinical training in pediatric dentistry as well as a community and global public health perspective. After completing two years in pediatric dentistry and three years in dental public health, both the Certificate in Advanced Education (CAE) in Pediatric Dentistry and an MSD in Dental Public Health are awarded.

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.

Year I

• SDM OB 830 Research Writing (2 cr, 1st sem.)
• SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law (1 cr, 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 803 Biostatistics (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 804 Advanced Topics in Statistical Analysis (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 806 Environmental Health (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 Dental Public Health Literature Review (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 872 Current Issues in Dental Public Health (2 cr, 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 892 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds (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.)*
• SPH SB 721 Behavioral Science (3 cr, 2nd sem.)*

Year II

• SDM PE 817 Grand Rounds (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 821 Dental Public Health Literature Review (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 892 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds (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 820 Assessment and Planning for Health Promotion (4 cr, 1st sem.)*
• SPH SB 822 Quantitative Methods for Program Evaluation (4 cr, 2nd sem.)*

Year III

• SDM PE 817 Grand Rounds (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 821 Dental Public Health Literature Review (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 890 Seminars in Dental Public Health (2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)
• SDM PH 892 Dental Public Health Grand Rounds (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.)

Years II and III Elective Courses

• SPH BS 805 Intermediate Statistical Computing & Applied Regression Analysis (4 cr, 1st or 2nd sem.)*
• SPH EP 854 Modern Epidemiology (4 cr, 1st sem.)*
• SPH EP 762 Clinical Epidemiology (4 cr, 1st sem.)*
• SPH BS 820 Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis (2 cr, 2nd sem.)*
• SPH BS 852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology (4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)*
• SPH BS 722 Design & Conduct of Clinical Trials (4 cr, 2nd sem., summer)*
• SPH BS 810  Meta‐Analysis for Public Health & Medical Research (4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.)*
• SPH BS 821 Categorical Data Analyses (4 cr, 1st sem.)*

*See the School of Public Health Bulletin for a detailed description. Course selection may vary according to the School of Public Health schedule.

At the discretion of the program director and/or department chair, research students may participate in clinical activities during their research years.