Dental Public Health, Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Last updated on March 4, 2024.

Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine

  • Massachusetts
  • Dental Public Health
  • bu.edu
Program Size
4 (estimate)
Program Length
12-60 months
Application Deadline
January 1
Program Start
July 1

Program Contact

Dr. Mary Tavares

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Postdoctoral Admissions
635 Albany Street, G-146
Boston, Massachusetts, 02118

Apply Now

Please visit our program websites: 
https://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/departments/health-policy-and-health-services-research/
https://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/


MSD (Master of Science in Dentistry) in Dental Public Health
http://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/msd/
The MSD program is a minimum of 12 months in duration and requires a prior dental degree.  The program provides the student with broad knowledge and practical experience in epidemiology and biostatistics, healthcare 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. Students have the opportunity to conduct research and are encouraged to publish papers in professional journals; a master’s thesis is required for graduation. Candidates who wish to meet the specialty board eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health are encouraged to apply for the combined Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Dental Public Health program. The combined MSD/CAGS program is a 24-month program suitable for dentists who do not hold a CEPH-accredited MPH or equivalent and seek a career and board certification in dental public health. International dental graduates are eligible to apply for the MSD and the MSD/CAGS.


Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Dental Public Health
http://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/cags/
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine provides a 12-month (full-time) or 24-month (part-time) program for dentists interested in careers in academia, state and federal health departments, community health programs, and health maintenance organizations. Dentists who hold a CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, or equivalent, are eligible to apply. Dentists without a CEPH-accredited MPH are encouraged to apply for the combined Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Dental Public Health program. Based upon the program director’s review of the student’s self-assessment, transcripts, and the student’s proposed plan of study, an individualized program will be developed. This CAGS program includes required and elective coursework in combination with two research projects and a dental public health field project. This CAGS program is designed to fulfill the DPH residency requirements and meet the eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH), preparing the students for the ABDPH Qualifying and Certifying Examinations. International dental graduates are eligible to apply for the CAGS and the MSD/CAGS.


Masters of Science in Dentistry and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (MSD/CAGS) in Dental Public Health
This 24-month combined program in Dental Public Health prepares dentists for leadership roles in academia, state and federal health departments, community health programs, and health maintenance organizations. Dentists without a CEPH-accredited MPH are encouraged to apply for the combined Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Dental Public Health program. This program is also suitable for dentists who have completed a MPH and wish to advance their career in research while completing a DPH residency. Successful completion of coursework, a public health field project, and two research projects, including a Master’s thesis, are required. The program provides the student with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in epidemiology and biostatistics, healthcare management and finance, social and cultural determinants of health, 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 opportunities to conduct research and publish papers in professional journals. This program is aimed to meet the eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health, preparing the students for the ABDPH Qualifying and Certifying Examinations. International dental graduates are eligible to apply.


Doctor of Science in Dentistry and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (DScD/CAGS) in Dental Public Health
http://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/dscd/
This 36-month combined program in Dental Public Health prepares dentists for leadership roles in health policy, academics, and government settings. Successful completion of coursework, a public health field project, and an oral competency examination—along with an original dissertation—are required. The program provides the student with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in epidemiology and biostatistics, healthcare management and finance, social and cultural determinants of health, 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 opportunities to conduct research and publish papers in professional journals. The combined DScD/CAGS program is a 36-month program suitable for dentists who do not hold a CEPH-accredited MPH or equivalent and seek a career and board certification in dental public health. This program is aimed to meet the eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health, preparing the students for the ABDPH Qualifying and Certifying Examinations. International dental graduates are eligible to apply.


Master of Science (MS) in Dental Public Health for Allied Oral Health Professionals
https://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/ms/
The MS program is a minimum of two semesters and is designed for dental hygienists, therapists, and dental assistants to develop and enhance the managerial and analytical skills essential to attain leadership roles in today’s changing dental healthcare field. Career-oriented applications of knowledge, theory, and experience are an integral part of the curriculum, including biostatistics, epidemiology, research methods, dental healthcare management, and finance. A project or practicum of the student’s choice is a significant part of the program. Graduates are not eligible for the ABDPH certifying exam upon completion of the MS in DPH program. Applicants must be educationally qualified in dental hygiene, dental therapy or dental assisting and should have a bachelor’s degree.


Clinical Specialty/MSD in Dental Public Health
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine provides opportunities to pursue a combined program that fulfills the requirements for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in a clinical specialty and the requirements of the MSD in DPH. The program exposes future clinical specialists to healthcare issues at a societal level through in-depth clinical training and study of a wide range of current issues in healthcare delivery and public health. The duration of the program may vary depending on the clinical specialty requirements, whereas the MSD in DPH is a minimum 12-month program. Applicants wishing to pursue the MSD in DPH and another clinical specialty must apply separately to both programs through the ADEA PASS website. International dental graduates are eligible to apply.


Clinical Specialty/DScD/CAGS in Dental Public Health
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine provides opportunities to pursue a combined program that fulfills the requirements for a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in a clinical specialty and the requirements of the DScD/CAGS in DPH. The program exposes future clinical specialists to healthcare issues at a societal level through in-depth clinical training and study of a wide range of current issues in healthcare delivery and public health. The duration of the program may vary depending on the clinical specialty requirements, whereas the DScD/CAGS in DPH is a minimum 36-month program. Students in the DScD/CAGS program in DPH meet the residency requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health. Applicants wishing to pursue the DScD/CAGS in DPH and another clinical specialty must apply separately to both programs through the ADEA PASS website. International dental graduates are eligible to apply.

Program Information

Program Type Dental Public Health
Program Code DPH1000
Degrees Offered Certificate, Masters, Other
Program Size 4 (estimate)
Program Length 12-60 months
Application Deadline January 1
Program Start Date July 1
Supplemental Application No
Supplemental Fee Yes
Stipend Offered No
Match Participating No
Program Website bu.edu

Application Requirements

Required Standardized Tests

  • TOEFL

Supplemental Requirements

  • Requires supplemental fee

Transcript Evaluation and Instructions

U.S./Canadian applicants must provide their undergraduate transcript(s) within the PASS application. Unofficial copies of undergrad transcripts uploaded by the applicant may be used for application purposes, but official transcripts are required for matriculation. 

International applicants must submit either the ECE or WES dental school transcript course-by-course translation and evaluation directly through PASS. 

 

TOEFL Requirement Instructions

TOEFL is required for all applicants who are not US citizens or US Lawful Permanent Residents, and whose first language is not English. Request official TOEFL scores from ETS in the ADEA PASS application. Only official scores are considered.  

  • Minimum score is 90 iBT.
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted.
  • TOEFL Essentials is NOT accepted. 
  • IELTS is NOT accepted.

International applicants who have earned a degree from an accredited United States or Canadian English-speaking institution may be exempted from the TOEFL requirement.  

Other Requirement Instructions

INBDE or NBDE Part 1 & 2 are not required for Dental Public Health programs, but may be required for the DPH programs that are combined with clinical specialties. Applicants are encouraged to check requirements of the clinical specialty of interest.

International Student Eligibility

This program will consider applicants who graduated, or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredited dental school: Yes

Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are:

  • US Citizen
  • US Permanent Resident
  • Canadian Citizen
  • Canadian Permanent Resident
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (program offers sponsorship)
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (applicant must contain their own sponsorship)

Additional Information

Request official test results within the ADEA PASS application.  Do not send official scores or documents to Boston University unless requested.