Dental Public Health
Dental Public Health focuses on the prevention of oral disease and promotion of oral health at the community and population level.
Specialty Overview
Scope & Practice
Dental public health specialists design and implement dental health programs across communities, analyze epidemiologic data, and influence policy.
Common Procedures:
- Community oral health needs assessments
- Program planning and evaluation
- Oral disease surveillance
- Health policy development
- Public health education
- Water fluoridation oversight
- School-based sealant programs
- Research and epidemiology
Professional Roles
Dental Public Health specialists can pursue various career paths within the specialty, often combining multiple roles:
- Government/Public Sector: Roles at CDC, state and local health departments
- Academic & Research: University faculty, research positions in dental schools
- Non-profit / NGO: Program managers and consultants for health NGOs
Clinical Settings
Dental Public Health specialists practice in diverse environments:
- State and local health departments
- CDC Atlanta
- University public health schools
- Non-governmental organizations
Specialty Outlook
The dental public health profession continues to evolve with technological advances and shifting demographics:
- Growing emphasis on prevention in health policy
- Increased funding for community oral health
- Integration of oral health into primary care
Digital Innovation
Dental Public Health is increasingly driven by cutting-edge digital technologies transforming patient care:
- Remote epidemiologic surveillance
- Data analytics in population health
- Mobile apps for community outreach
Patient Experience
Modern dental public health emphasizes patient comfort and convenience through various approaches:
- Population-wide benefit rather than individual care
- Health promotion at scale
- Community-level impact
Student Journey Roadmap
Post-Dental Degree & MPH
Residency & Early Career
Geographic Program Map
Competitiveness Level
Application Requirements
Academic Prerequisites
- Degree Required: DDS or DMD + MPH (or equivalent)
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Average Accepted GPA: 3.2+
- Core Courses: Epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy
- Research Experience: Experience in public health or community programs recommended
Standardized Tests
- NBDE: NBDE Parts I/II or INBDE (pass required)
- TOEFL/IELTS: TOEFL/IELTS for international applicants
Letters of Recommendation
- Number Required: 2‑3
- Types:
- • Dean or program director
- • Public health or epidemiology mentor
- • Dental faculty familiar with community work
- Emphasis: Evidence of public health interest and potential
Research Experience
- Participation in public health projects
- Epidemiologic data analysis
- Publication or presentation beneficial
Clinical Experience
- Dental outreach in underserved communities
- Fieldwork with health departments
- EPA or CDC shadowing
Application Components
- Standardized application (varies by program)
- Personal statement focused on public health
- CV with public health experience
- Transcripts and test scores
- Supplemental essays (as required)
- Application fees
Competitive Profile
- Target GPA: 3.2+
- Target GRE Verbal: 150+
- Target GRE Quantitative: 152+
- Research Publications: Poster or manuscript preferred
- Shadowing Hours:
- Extracurriculars: Leadership in public health/dental organizations
Application Deadlines & Timeline
CDC Program Deadline
CDC Dental Public Health Residency typically closes late September
University Program Deadlines
Most university-based residencies close between Nov–Dec
Interviews
Interviews held in winter
Match & Offers
Offers extended spring
Set Reminders
Get notified about upcoming deadlines
Download Timeline
Save this timeline to your calendar
Competitiveness Overview
Understanding the competitive landscape for this specialty
Applicant to Seat Ratio
5:1
Average GPA
3.2+
Program Duration
1–2
Average Tuition
$0–$30K
Starting Salary
stipend only
Tips for Success
- Meet Requirements: Focus on meeting basic academic requirements
- Show Interest: Demonstrate genuine interest in the specialty
- Clinical Exposure: Gain some exposure to the specialty
- Strong Application: Present yourself well in applications
Curriculum & Training
Program Structure
Duration
12–24 months
Weekly Schedule
Varies; combination of fieldwork, didactics, research
Research Requirements
Residency includes epidemiologic or program evaluation project
Degrees Awarded
- Certificate in Dental Public Health
- Master’s in Public Health (if not already held)
Clinical Training
- Fieldwork in community settings
- Oral health program delivery
- Surveillance and screenings
Didactic Education
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health program planning
- Policy and administration
- Behavioral sciences
Research Activities
- Design and conduct a public health project
- Data collection and analysis
- Report writing and presentations
- Policy brief development
Financial Information
Total Program Cost
Programs with Stipends
Living Expenses
Starting Salary
Culture & Lifestyle
Work-Life Balance
Generally predictable hours, occasional field visits
Career Satisfaction
High satisfaction from community impact
Practice Environment
Collaborative public health teams
Physical Demands
Low-medical, occasional outreach travel
Day-in-the-Life
Team meeting
Plan community outreach or data review
Field visit
School screening or public clinic oversight
Lunch & data debrief
Discuss findings with public health team
Data analysis / report prep
Analyze screening data or draft program evaluation
Didactic / seminar
Attend lectures on epidemiology/policy
Wrap-up
Plan next day's work, finalize reports
Career Perspective
Resident Perspective
Hands‑on community health work with analytical and policy focus
Working at CDC I split time between data analysis and guiding state oral health policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is residency required for Dental Public Health?
Residency is optional; MPH is required, and residency provides board-eligible certification.
How long is the residency?
Full-time residency is typically 12 months; part-time options may last up to 24 months.
What is the career outlook?
Strong, with growing public health funding and increased integration of oral health in population health programs.