The School of Dental Medicine’s Certificate in Dental Public Health program enrolls a select number of Pitt Dental Medicine students who have an interest in social & public policy and community service programs, with a focus on community-based oral health. The certificate is awarded to each student who has completed 12 units of mandatory courses (of which, three units will be designated as shared/credited SCOPE participation), including a mix of experiential learning and didactic coursework. Requirements of the program include a practicum (“Capstone” project), where the student will develop and/or engage in a community health program; A manuscript that is generally compliant with publication standards will be presented by each student for describing their capstone study. The certificate appears on the student’s transcript as a degree goal and will appear on their final transcript.
Pre-doctoral dental students (generally 10-15 students per class) are admitted to the Certificate Program during the spring semester of year-one and no later than the end of their second year. Admission is based upon review of personal goals, grades, and interview.
Requirements for admission to the program include
- A minimum Pitt Dental Medicine GPA of 3.3 at the time of application.
- A two-part essay describing the student’s current & prior interest in dental public health, and anticipated application in their future career.
- A letter of recommendation from a School of Dental Medicine faculty member.
- Maintenance of academic grade point of 3.3
Required curriculum to complete the Certificate Program
There are twelve units of required courses that are to be taken during the second through fourth year. This includes an individually tailored community project (“Capstone”) which is multi term and generally achieved during years three and/or four. Importantly, there are 2-3 units that need to be taken at the Pitt School of Public Health (PPH) at any point during the four-year DMD experience. Most courses from the PPH are generally acceptable if consent from the PPH departments and instructors is granted. The list of mandatory courses includes the following selectives and courses:
| Course | Units | Year/Term |
|---|---|---|
| Taken at: Pitt School of Public Health Take only one course (student choice) |
2-3 | Any term (best in year 2) |
| Public Health Policy and Advocacy (CDENT 5930) | Currently: Spring year 2 | |
| Intersection of Public Health and Career Goals (CDENT 5932) | 0.5 | Summer (End of year 2) |
| Biostats, human genetics and public health (CDENT 2025) | 0.5 | Summer, end year 3 |
| Contemporary Issues in DPH (CDENT 5916) | 2 | Fall year 3 |
| SCOPE II clinical | 3 (shared credits) | Fall/Spring year 4 |
| Independent Study Community practicum Capstone (CDENT 5900) | 3 | Spring year 4 (multi-term) |
| Total | 12-13 |
Past student projects have included the following
- Teaching hospital staff oral hygiene for COVID-intubated patients
- Nutrition counseling at local markets
- Oral health education for:
• Refugees in Pa.
• Homewood Children’s Village
• Women’s Shelter
• Special Needs-Woodland Foundation
• Geriatric Oral Health and Quality of Life