Combined D.M.D./Masters Program

The increasingly complex interactions between genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors in human disease, and specifically in dental, oral and craniofacial disease, require training of scientists and clinician-scientists capable of working as part of a multidisciplinary research team that can address these interactive factors. The need for such individuals is increasingly urgent, both for advancing knowledge and for training the next generation of scientists, educators and clinicians. To help address this need, the UConn School of Dental Medicine has established a five-year dual degree program for dental students interested in the fields of public health or clinical and translational research. The program leads to the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree and a masters degree (M.P.H. or M.C.T.R.). Students may enter the program upon matriculation at the Dental School, or after their first or second year of predoctoral studies, and will receive both degrees at the completion of the five-year program.

Students applying to the combined D.M.D./Masters Program must be accepted by both the School of Dental Medicine and the UConn Graduate School. Students in the combined D.M.D./Masters Program will receive up to one year of stipend support and support for health insurance during their research training period, a modest amount to defray research expenses, tuition reimbursement for graduate courses, and travel funds to attend a research meeting.

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program, an approved and accredited program at the University of Connecticut Health Center, focuses on the core competencies in epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, occupational/environmental health and health services administration. The M.P.H. program will train students in the skills necessary to apply public health principles to oral health problems. A key component of the program is a mentored research experience to enhance the profile of research in dental training. The M.P.H. portion of the combined D.M.D./Masters curriculum requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including:

• 21 credit hours of required core courses
• 3 credit hours of a practicum in public health involving approximately 100 hours of supervised field experience
• 3 to 6 credit hours of elective courses
• 9 credit hours of research/thesis preparation (Capstone Project)

The objectives of the practicum include: defining biological, social, cultural, economic and behavioral determinants of problems under study; identifying individual and community resources available to address conditions; recognizing performance of assessment, assurance and policy development functions by public health agencies; engaging community-based practitioners and other stakeholders in public health action; and demonstrating the importance of written and oral communication skills.

The Capstone Project should address a significant public health concern, pursue novel inquiry and/or initiative, demonstrate the student’s mastery of one or more of the M.P.H. program competencies, and yield relevant knowledge that can be generalized to the practice of public health. The student is required to write and defend a thesis on his/her research project.

• More information may be obtained from the Master of Public Health Program website.

Master of Clinical and Translational Research

The Master of Clinical and Translational Research (M.C.T.R.) program, an approved and accredited program at the University of Connecticut Health Center, trains students in the skills necessary to conduct clinical research that translates findings from the bench to the bedside (T1 research) as well as to translate evidence-based findings to clinical practice (T2). A key component of the program is a mentored research experience to enhance the profile of research in dental training. The M.C.T.R. portion of the combined D.M.D./Masters curriculum requires a minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

• 9 credit hours of required core course in Clinical and Translation Research
• 3 credit hours of a “translational science” course
• 9 credit hours of research
• 3 credit hours of an elective classroom or research course

The research experience is designed to provide the student with competency in applied advanced research methods, including hypothesis formulation, research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis and computer application. After completion of the course work, the student must submit a written paper and a grant proposal and give an oral presentation related to one of those two documents.

• More information may be obtained from the Master of Science Program in Clinical and Translational Research website.