Dental Public Health is the science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice which serves the community as a patient rather than the individual as a patient. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs, as well as the prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis.

All courses within this program are taught face-to-face, on campus at the School of Dentistry, in Dallas. This program may require off-campus assignments at various hospitals or dental clinics throughout the State of Texas.

This program, housed in the Department of Public Health Sciences, is a 12-month-equivalent full-time certificate program that begins in late June each year. Up to three new positions may be available each year. All applicants must have a DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree, an MPH or PhD in public health, and a competitive academic record, with references. The application deadline is November 1 of each year, for matriculation the following June. The program uses the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Each student completes a pre-assessment evaluation prior to entering the program.

The program is guided by the Dental Public Health Competencies developed by the American Board of Dental Public Health.

Upon successful completion of all components of the program, the student receives a Certificate in Dental Public Health and meets the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Public Health Dentistry. Each student is required to take the written portion of the Qualifying Examination of the American Board of Public Health Dentistry prior to graduating from the program.

For more information about the Certificate in Dental Public Health, visit the Program's website. 

This program prepares students for the opportunity to pursue an occupational license. Please refer to the Notification for Students Pursuing an Occupational License in our catalog for additional information.

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Credit Hours
DPHS 600	Dental Public Health Practicum	17.5
DPHS 610	Practice Transformation	1.0
DPHS 620	Dental Public Health Field Experience I	2.0
DPHS 625	Dental Public Health Field Experience II	2.5
OBIO 660	Teaching Skills for Health Professions Educators	1.0
Total Semester Credit Hours		24

Must complete 12 months of residency, total credit hours specified, any noncredit courses specified, and be approved by the Promotions Committee for this certificate to be awarded.

In accordance with Student Rule 10.4.1, grades of S or U may be assigned in certain officially designated certificate courses.