In today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, the Community Oral Health program plays a crucial role in advancing the careers of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds. Whether you’re a dental professional looking to expand your expertise in public health, a recent graduate seeking a specialized niche, or a healthcare administrator aiming to improve community oral health initiatives, our online Master’s and Certificate programs provide the knowledge, skills, and research opportunities necessary to lead and innovate in this vital field. We invite you to explore the vibrant landscape of research that defines our programs, where both our esteemed faculty and dedicated students are actively contributing to the advancement of oral health sciences and its impact on communities worldwide.
A Hub of Groundbreaking Research
Our COH programs are not just about earning a degree or a certificate; they are about empowering dental professionals to become leaders in public health, policy, and research. Our curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and equips students with the skills to critically evaluate and conduct research that addresses real-world oral health disparities and challenges.
Faculty at the Forefront of Discovery
Our faculty members are at the cutting edge of community oral health research, continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge. They are engaged in diverse areas of study, ranging from evaluating novel approaches to caries prevention in underserved populations to investigating the social determinants of oral health outcomes. Their work directly informs our curriculum, ensuring that our students receive the most current and relevant education in the field.
Like what you’re learning? Consider enrolling in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC’s online, competency-based certificate or master’s program in Community Oral Health.
You’ll often find our faculty presenting their groundbreaking findings at prestigious national and international conferences. For instance, our COH faculty regularly participate in scientific activities at the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). These events provide invaluable platforms for sharing their research, collaborating with peers from other institutions, and staying abreast of the latest advancements in dental education and research methodologies. Their active presence at ADEA speaks to their commitment to scholarly discourse and their dedication to shaping the future of oral health education.
Student-Led Innovation: Showcasing Our Future Leaders
A cornerstone of our COH programs is the emphasis on student engagement in research. We believe that empowering students to conduct their own investigations is vital for developing critical thinkers and future innovators. Our students, through their master’s theses and capstone projects, tackle pressing issues in community oral health, often focusing on areas directly relevant to their own professional experiences and interests.
One of the highlights of our academic year is the Annual Research Day at Ostrow School of Dentistry. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our COH students to showcase their diligent work and contribute to the broader scientific community. Each year, a significant number of our students prepare and present research posters, detailing their methodologies, findings, and conclusions. This experience is invaluable, as it allows them to:
- Communicate complex research effectively: Presenting a poster requires students to distill their extensive research into a concise and visually engaging format, honing their communication skills.
- Engage in scientific discourse: During poster sessions, students receive feedback from faculty, peers, and other researchers, fostering critical thinking and intellectual exchange.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge: The research presented by our students often sheds new light on community oral health challenges and potential solutions.
- Build professional networks: The event provides opportunities to connect with leading researchers and practitioners in the field.
The topics explored by our students are as diverse as the communities they aim to serve. Past projects have included assessments of oral health literacy in various cultural groups, the impact of teledentistry on access to care in rural areas, and the effectiveness of school-based oral health interventions. These projects are not merely academic exercises; they are designed to be actionable and to contribute meaningfully to improving oral health equity.
Join Our Research Journey
We are incredibly proud of the research endeavors undertaken by both our faculty and students within the Community Oral Health programs.
If you are passionate about research, dedicated to improving community oral health, and eager to contribute to a growing body of knowledge, then our online Master’s and Certificate programs might be the perfect fit for you. Join us in shaping a healthier future for all.
Earn an Online Postgraduate Degree in Community Oral Health
Do you like learning about a variety of issues while focused on the unique needs of community health dental programs? Consider enrolling in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC’s online, competency-based certificate or master’s program in Community Oral Health.
