About the Program
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) offers a three-year Dental Public Health Research Fellowship aimed at developing leaders in both public health practice and scientific research. The Fellowship equips fellows with the skills and expertise needed to tackle public health challenges, conduct impactful, independent oral health research, and promote inter-professional collaboration across diverse disciplines.
This fellowship includes a one-year full-time Dental Public Health Residency, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), followed by a two-year Oral Health Research Fellowship.
Benefits of the NIH-Based Program: Fellows benefit from exposure to NIH campus resources, seminars, and interdisciplinary research collaboration opportunities with researchers from other NIH institutes to address intersectional oral health and systemic health inquiries. Additionally, fellows have access to the NIH Library, the Office of Intramural Training and Education, and the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, along with opportunities for professional growth and engagement with federal, state, and non-profit organizations in the DC metropolitan area.
Certificates:
- Upon completing the dental public health residency, fellows receive a certificate of completion and are qualified to apply for the American Board of Dental Public Health specialty certification.
- After completing the two years of research, the fellows receive another certificate recognizing their advanced and collaborative research training.
Support and Commitment: A stipend is available to support fellows throughout the program, which requires a full-time in-person commitment, and participants cannot be enrolled in other training programs.
Fellowship Structure
The three-year fellowship provides personalized training and mentorship from leading experts across various disciplines. Mentors guide fellows in developing training plans, managing their projects, and preparing for future career opportunities.
First-Year Curriculum
Coursework: Fellows engage in critical thinking and stay current with the latest research and trends in public health through seminars, grant writing and research-related training, book reviews, as well as journal clubs. The coursework includes a prestigious week-long Congressional Operations Seminar by Georgetown's Government Affairs Institute, which covers how Congress functions, including its procedures, organization, and interactions with other branches.
Experiential Learning: Fellows participate in community-based projects with federal and state programs, and conduct site visits to public health and professional organizations, including notable locations such as the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, and the White House, to learn about their structure, mission, and operations.
Research Experience: Fellows develop their research agenda for the three-year program and complete at least one research project in the first year co-mentored by NIDCR and NIH IC investigators. These projects explore various aspects of dental public health within a holistic, whole-body context.
Second- and Third-Year Curriculum
Research Experience: Fellows work with participating NIH programs on research projects that bridge public health, clinical dentistry, and biomedical sciences. Current collaborative research covers diverse topics, including oral health, taste and smell, graft-versus-host disease patient oral health outcomes, dental utilization among vulnerable populations, and oral cancer risk assessment using urinary biomarkers and AI tools.
Professional Development: Fellows have opportunities to experience peer teaching, mentoring, forum presentations, research peer-reviewed publications, career development workshops, and grantsmanship and communication training. Fellows also engage in leadership programs, and join professional organizations and research interest groups, enhancing their professional growth and career readiness.
Current Research Collaborations With NIH Institutes
- Oral Health, Taste, and Smell – National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
- Oral Health Outcomes in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation – National Institute on Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
- Oral Microbiome and Dementia – National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Tobacco-Related Health Disparities – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Oral Cancer Detection and HPV-Related Knowledge – National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Bruxism, Sleep Stages, and Sleep Apnea – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Meet the Program Faculty
Meet Our Research Fellows
Eligibility
- Applicants to the NIDCR Dental Public Health Research Fellowship Program must be graduates of a school of dentistry accredited by any of the following:
- The Commission on Dental Accreditation in the United States
- The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada
- Have acquired an equivalent dental degree such as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.)
- All applicants must also hold a graduate degree in public health (M.P.H. or equivalent) from an accredited U.S. or Canadian academic institution that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., the Council on Education for Public Health. Examples of an equivalent public health degree are a M.H.S., Dr.P.H., or Ph.D. in Epidemiology.
Application Process (Begins October 15)
Equal consideration is given to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, political affiliation, or age.
Step 1: Eligibility Screening
Please submit only your current Curriculum Vitae (CV) to NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov for the eligibility screening.
If the applicant meets the minimum qualifications to apply based on his/her educational background, the applicant will be invited to submit an application and supporting materials as soon as possible.
Step 2: Submission of Application and Supporting Materials (Deadline: December 15):
If invited to apply for the program, please submit the following:
- Completed Application Form [PDF - 5 pages, 1.2 MB]
- Official Dental School Transcripts
- For graduates of U.S. dental schools:
- Official dental school transcripts are to be sent by email directly from the academic institutions to NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov.
- For graduates of U.S. dental schools:
- For Graduates of International Dental Schools Only:
- Official dental school transcripts are to be sent by email directly from the academic institutions to NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov.
- For non-English transcripts, an official translation is to be sent to NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov.
- Course equivalency assessments are to be sent from the World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation, including at least one (1) from a faculty/administrator from your academic institution. Letters of recommendation must be sent to NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov directly from those who agreed to serve as references.
A Submission Checklist [PDF - 1 page, 117 KB] is provided for your convenience.
Applicant Notification
- Candidates will be notified by the application coordinator once their application and all supporting materials are submitted in full.
- Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the selection committee.
Send materials to: Application Coordinator
- Email: NIDCR_DPHRFP@nidcr.nih.gov.
- Please note: If your school does not provide electronic transcripts, you may send it to the physical address, otherwise, materials should be sent electronically.
Application Coordinator
31 Center Drive
Building 31, Room 4B62
Bethesda, MD 20892-2190
The tentative start date for the 2025 Dental Public Health Research Fellowship Program is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
FAQs
- Have additional questions about the program, curriculum, or eligibility criteria? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.