New dual-degree program in Dental Medicine and Public Health (DMD/MPH)
Case Western Reserve University is offering a new dual-degree in Dental Medicine (DMD) and Master’s in Public Health (MPH). The DMD/MPH dual-degree is a 5-year program consisting of four years of School of Dental Medicine didactic courses/labs/clinics plus one year dedicated to MPH classes. This MPH dedicated year can be taken before the first year of the DMD program, between the first and second year of the DMD, or between the second and third year of the DMD. Students will be required to complete a capstone project as part of their MPH training.
The Capstone Experience is the centerpiece of the CWRU MPH Program, which is a Public Health field practicum required of all MPH students. This 9-credit course places students in health care agencies/clinics to work on projects of mutual interest to the agency and to the student.
One of the primary goals of the American Dental Association (ADA) is to “Promote the oral health of the public”. Dental public health is one of the nine recognized specialties of the ADA, and is defined as “the art and science of preventing oral diseases and promoting oral health through organized community efforts”. The DMD/MPH program seeks to impart knowledge and skills necessary to expand the practice of dentistry into the community in a proactive way that fosters improved oral health, and as a direct result, yields improved overall health of the populations involved. It is necessary to address populations to improve the health of individuals and to work with individuals to improve the health of populations. Thus, dentistry and public health are interdependent, reliant on each other in order to achieve their mutual goals.
Financial support for the MPH portion of the dual degree will be available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, depending on the availability of funds. Support will include a predoctoral level stipend, tuition and fees, and travel to extramural sites/clinics and attendance at one national meeting.
You can find more information about the program, including links to a printable brochure and flier and a link to the MPH website, by visiting the dual degree program’s website: http://dental.case.edu/dmd/dmdmph.html
Interested students are encouraged to please contact Dr. Sena Narendran at sxn100@case.edu, or 216-368-1311.
