DDS/MPH (Master of Public Health) Coordinated Curriculum
What is Dental Public Health? Dental Public Health is one of the nine dental specialty areas recognized by the American Dental Association.
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 that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. 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. Implicit in this definition is the requirement that the specialist have broad knowledge and skills in public health administration, research methodology, the prevention and control of oral diseases, and the delivery and financing of oral health care.
Where do graduates with their DDS and MPH practice? Graduates with their DDS and MPH practice dentistry from a population-perspective and typically work in federal and state public health agencies, hospitals, the military, and other settings.
What are the eligibility requirements for residency and certification by the American Board of Dental Public Health? Earning a DDS from Indiana University School of Dentistry, combined with an MPH degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, qualifies a dentist to apply for residency and certification by the American Board of Dental Public Health. A total of four years of public health education and experience are required. For additional information regarding residency and certification requirements, contact
the American Board of
Dental Public Health.
How long does it take to complete the DDS and MPH degrees at IUPUI?
Indiana University School of Dentistry and Indiana University School of Medicine's Department of Public Health offer a coordinated DDS/MPH curriculum in which students earn both the DDS and MPH degree during the course of a 5 ½ year combined program. The DDS/MPH program enables dental students to begin work on the MPH during the third year at IUSD and complete the degree with an additional 1 ½ years of study at IUPUI. Through this option, some of the course work and electives taken in the DDS curriculum will apply toward the MPH degree.
When should I apply to the MPH Program? Dental students who wish to begin taking MPH classes in the fall of their 3rd year of dental school should apply to the MPH program in the spring semester of their 2nd year of dental school. The DAT fulfills the GRE requirement for the MPH degree, and the interview is waived for current IUSD DDS students.
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) & Master of Public Health (MPH) Degrees
Coordinated DDS/MPH Curriculum on the IUPUI Campus
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DDS Degree
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MPH Degree
Concentrations offered in the following public health fields: (1) Epidemiology, (2) Behavioral Health Science, or (3) Health Policy & Mgmt. |
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Admission
Requirements |
IUSD Admission Requirements |
DAT fulfills the GRE requirement.
Interview for MPH Program is not required if student is admitted to IUSD. |
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Year 1 |
First-Year Dental Curriculum
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Year 2 |
Second-Year Dental Curriculum
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Year 3 |
Third-Year Dental Curriculum
*Fall Public Health Dentistry Module
(credit may count toward MPH degree)
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Fall Semester: 4 cr.
Core Course (3 cr.) & Seminar (1 cr.)
Spring Semester: 4 cr.
Core Course (3 cr.) & Seminar (1 cr.)
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Year 4 |
Fourth-Year Dental Curriculum
*Fall & Spring Intramural Elective Modules
*Spring Community Service Module
(credit may count toward MPH degree)
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Fall Semester: 6 cr.
Core Course (3 cr.) & Concentrat. Course (3 cr.)
Spring Semester: 6 cr.
Core Course (3 cr.) & Concentrat. Course (3 cr.)
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Summer
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DDS degree conferred upon completion of all requirements. |
Summer: 4 cr.
Core Course (3 cr.)
Public Health Community Project (1 cr.)
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Year 5
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Fall Semester: 7 cr.
1 Concentrat. Course (3 cr.), 1 Elective (3 cr.) & Seminar (1 cr.)
Spring Semester: 6 cr.
1 Concentrat. Course (3 cr.) & Final Project (3 cr.)
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Summer
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Summer: 6 hrs.
1 Elective (3 cr.)
6 wk. / 240 hr. Public Health Internship (3 cr.)
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MPH degree conferred upon completion of all requirements. |
*With approval from faculty advisors in both programs, credit in these dental courses may fulfill partial requirements for the MPH degree, decreasing the number of credit hours required to graduate from the MPH Program.
This 5 ½ year curriculum was developed by the Indiana University School of Dentistry Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry and Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Public Health. This curriculum was approved by both the DDS and MPH Curriculum Committees. Students interested in following this curriculum to complete the DDS and MPH degrees should meet regularly with advisors from both programs.
What public health concentrations are available in the MPH Program at IUPUI?
Students can choose from the following three MPH concentrations:
Behavioral health science – use behavior science and research to affect health in diverse populations; understanding psychosocial factors and health problems in clinical, school, work site, and community settings.
Epidemiology – integrate social, biological, and environmental approaches to understand health in diverse populations; design and conduct studies and develop policies related to surveillance activities and prevention strategies
Health policy and management – utilize skills in managerial context, applying historical, political, and economic contexts of policy development to impact management issues and practices.
Additional information on the MPH program can be found at
IUPUI Department of Public Health or by contacting:
Carole Kacius, Ph.D.
MPH Program Director
Indiana University School of Medicine
Department of Public Health
1050 Wishard Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-3847