The program provides instruction in the 10 competency areas defined by the American Board of Dental Public Health:

  • Plan oral health programs for populations.
  • Select interventions and strategies for the prevention and control of oral diseases and promotion of oral health.
  • Develop resources, implement, and manage oral health programs for populations.
  • Incorporate ethical standards in oral health programs and activities.
  • Evaluate and monitor dental care delivery systems.
  • Design and understand the use of surveillance systems to monitor oral health.
  • Communicate and collaborate with groups and individuals on oral health issues.
  • Advocate for, implement, and evaluate public health policy, legislation, and regulations to protect and promote the public’s oral health.
  • Critique and synthesize scientific literature.
  • Design and conduct population-based studies to answer oral and public health questions.

    • In addition to the areas defined by the American Board of Dental Public Health, this graduate program also can help prepare students for teaching community dentistry and Dental Public Health to predoctoral dental students and dental hygiene students.

    Graduates of the M.S. program in dental public health typically take teaching positions in dental schools in departments of community dentistry or dental hygiene, or administrative positions in local or state health departments, public health agencies, foundations, or community health centers.

    A unique feature of the graduate program in Dental Public Health at The University of Iowa is its location at the College of Dentistry. This provides students the opportunity to maintain their identity with the dental profession while studying a multidisciplinary subject. The program gives graduate students many opportunities to learn through participation in the teaching, administrative, or research aspects of the department's ongoing programs and projects in cooperation with a variety of community agencies off campus. Among these affiliated programs are the Iowa Department of Health's Oral Health Bureau; Broadlawns Medical Center; Community Health Care, Inc; the Dental Health Center of East Central Iowa; the state dental programs of Illinois and Nebraska; the Indian Health Service; and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.