Dental Public Health, Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Last updated on May 1, 2023.

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 15
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 one year in duration and requires a master’s 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. Students have the opportunity to conduct research and are encouraged to publish papers in professional journals.  The department encourages students also to enroll in the one-year CAGS program in Dental Public Health in order to meet the specialty board eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health. The combined MSD/CAGS program is a 24 month CODA accredited program suitable for dentists who do not have an MPH or equivalent and seek a career and board certification in Dental Public Health. International dental graduates are eligible to apply.

CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) in Dental Public Health
http://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/cags/
A full-time one-year or part-time two-year residency in Dental Public Health is offered to dentists who hold a CEPH accredited Master of Public Health degree or equivalent degree. International dental graduates are eligible to apply. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine provides this program for individuals interested in careers in academia, 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. Based upon the program director’s review of the resident’s self-assessment, transcripts, and the resident’s proposed residency plan, an individualized program will be developed. The CAGS program includes selected coursework in combination with two research projects and a dental public health field project. The CAGS program is designed to meet the eligibility requirements of the American Board of Dental Public Health, preparing the residents for the ABDPH Qualifying and Certifying Examinations.

DScD (Doctor of Science in Dentistry) in Dental Public Health
http://www.bu.edu/academics/sdm/programs/dental-public-health/dscd/
This three-year 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, 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 opportunities to conduct research and publish papers in professional journals. The combined DScD/CAGS program is a three-year CODA accredited program suitable for dentists who do not have an 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 residents 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.

 

Combined programs are also available:

Clinical Specialty/DScD in Dental Public Health
This combined program fulfills the requirements for a certificate in a clinical specialty and the requirements of the DScD in DPH. 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 may vary depending on the on the clinical specialty requirements, whereas the DScD in DPH is a minimum three year program that includes a CAGS in DPH. 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 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/MSD in Dental Public Health
This combined program fulfills the requirements for a certificate in a clinical specialty and the requirements of the MSD in DPH. 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 may vary depending on the on the clinical specialty requirements, whereas the MSD in DPH is a minimum one year program. Students of the combined program are encouraged to also enroll in the one-year CAGS in DPH in order to meet the residency requirement of the American Board of Dental Public Health. 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.

 

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 15
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.

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

International Student Eligibility

Applicants Without U.S. Dental Degrees: May be Considered

Eligible Citizenship Types:

  • US Citizen, US Permanent Resident
  • US/Canadian Citizen, US/Canadian Permanent Resident
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (no sponsorship)
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (need sponsorship)
  • Other - Contact the program

Interview Schedule

Interviews will be conducted at any time between November and February.

Additional Information

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