MS in Dentistry (MSD) in Dental Public Health

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.

Curriculum

The following curriculum forms the core of the dental public health programs. Additional course selection is contingent on the specific program of study.

• 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, 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 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 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 (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.)*

*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.

Clinical Specialty/MSD 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.

CAGS in Operative Dentistry/MSD in Dental Public Health

After successfully completing two years of advanced operative dentistry and one year of dental public health, the student receives a CAGS in Operative Dentistry and an MSD in Dental Public Health.

CAE in Pediatric Dentistry/MSD 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 one year in dental public health, both the Certificate of Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry and an MSD in Dental Public Health are awarded.

CAGS in Periodontology/MSD in Dental Public Health

This program offers excellent clinical training and a perspective that includes both community and global concerns. After successfully completing three years of specialty training in periodontology and one year of the dental public health program, the student will be awarded a CAGS in Periodontology and an MSD in Dental Public Health.