Combined Doctor of Dental Surgery and Master’s Degree (DDS/MPH, DDS/MSCR)

The objective of the combined DDSCOHRT program is to graduate outstanding individuals with a combination of excellence in clinical skills and training in clinical research or public health to prepare them for an academic career in dentistry. Graduates of this program will understand the scientific principles that form the basis of clinical practice, will be able to identify significant problems in oral health and will have the requisite tools to develop testable hypotheses that address these problems.

Length of Program

Five years

Curriculum

UMB Master’s program courses (either MPH or MSCR) are substituted for DDS program courses as appropriate to fulfill didactic requirements of both programs (DDS and Master’s) during the third year. Development of a research project with a mentor occurs during the summer prior to the DDS junior year. Additional coursework and the research project or practicum or capstone experience comprise the fourth program year to complete the Master’s degree requirements. Elective credits (3) from the DDS curriculum during the fifth program year (DDS senior year) are available for students completing their research and are used towards time to prepare and submit research results.

Research topics follow the dental school’s research themes: pain and neuroscience; microbiology and infectious diseases; cell and molecular biology; epidemiology and community health, and selected discipline specific clinical topics.

Academic Advisors

Advisement of trainees is an integral part of the combined DDS-Master’s programs, with two advisors assigned: one from the student’s primary school (the School of Dentistry) and one from the Master’s program faculty. Advisement begins with the application process. Once a track and research field are selected by the student, an appropriate mentor(s) team will be assembled. The Master’s program directors meet with the mentors to set educational goals for the trainee, individualized according to the specific project.

Admission and Application Procedures

• Applicants must be first admitted to the DDS program at the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry. 
• After admission to the dental program, the student should send a letter of interest in the combined DDS/MSCR program to Dr. Thomas Oates, Professor and Chair, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics [e-mail] or in the combined DDS/MPH program to Dr. Mark Macek @ [e-mail]