Public Health Education in Pediatric Dentistry

Eastern Kentucky's relative geographic isolation, persistent economic distress, and inadequate educational system combine with cultural factors and less than optimal lifestyle choices to predispose the population to a spectrum of unmet health needs including early childhood caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. The Public Health Education in Pediatric Dentistry (PHEPD) program seeks to develop a critical mass of pediatric dentists with the knowledge, skill, and commitment to decrease oral health disparities in the rural Kentucky Appalachian population. Through the collaborative educational efforts of the Division of Pediatric Dentistry/College of Dentistry and the University of Kentucky School of Public Health, our vision is to expand the existing pediatric dentistry residency program to include resident positions for a three year program resulting in a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Masters degree in Public Health (MPH). The graduates will be prepared to participate in academic institutions, governmental/public health agencies, and clinical practice settings. The goals of the PHEPD program are to: 1. Partner with the Kentucky School of Public Health to create a combined curriculum that allows for simultaneous completion of a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Masters degree in Public Health. 2. Recruit and retain Kentucky residents interested in pediatric dentistry for the three year combined program in pediatric dentistry and public health. 3. Implement the program thereby increasing the number of pediatric dentistry residents from 4 to 6 per year. 4. Perform formative and summative evaluation procedures to ensure quality and attainment of desired outcomes. 5. Graduate board eligible pediatric and public health dentists who (a) are competent in treating the needs of a pediatric dental population; (b) can apply the principles of public health to reduce oral health disparities; (c) are culturally competent to address underserved, minority populations; (d) have the skills to participate in political and legislative processes as they relate to oral health; (e) are prepared to participate in formal educational settings as faculty and researchers (dental schools, governmental agencies, etc.); and (I) possess leadership skills.