Master of Public Health Graduates???

[sunmoon6689]

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Are there any people in this thread who have received a graduate degree in Public Health and gone on to be accepted to dental school? I am trying to decide whether I should pursue one or not. Any suggestions? I would appreciate all advice. Thanks!

 

[pearlywhite]

Are there any people in this thread who have received a graduate degree in Public Health and gone on to be accepted to dental school? I am trying to decide whether I should pursue one or not. Any suggestions? I would appreciate all advice. Thanks!

My post is about 90% related and 10% not, so please read with a grain of salt. I am planning on pursuing a duel degree in Public Health while I am in dental school, so I don't have the experience of already having a masters. However, I know from talking to a couple of dentists that if you are looking to be a community dentist then a MPH will really help out. (although I know of a couple of specialists with MPHs as well, so I don't believe you just have to be a general dentist) I also believe that pursuing a masters degree in something which would benefit the community at large would help strengthen your application, especially if you are looking at your state school. I majored in public health in undergrad and one of the things I enjoyed most was also getting to take "business" style classes, especially a practice management course. I think classes like this help prepare you for the real world situation of being a dentist, in both a private and public setting. The UNC SPH also understands that a MPH is often pursued with another doctorate type degree and they offered some really interesting electives, including some which were specifically about dental public health (which was one of my favorite classes in college). I loved, loved, LOVED my two years in the School of Public Health so I might be biased but I think that any other healthcare degree, especially one which compliments the dental field so well, could only be an asset when applying. 😀

 

[trust068]

i am in the program right now and i will let you know if it helps or not. the problem with publich health program is that it doesnt has any science class

 

[sunmoon6689]

Do you mind if I ask which university your program is in, or perhaps just for a suggestions of schools to research? I am considering some primarily online options, but I want it to be a well-respected university. Thanks!

 

[jrm]

Deciding to earn my MPH (from the University of Arizona; graduate in May 2006) was one of the best decisions I have ever made, regardless of whether it helps me get into dental school or not.

I am convinced that the topics I have studied (i.e. program planning and evaluation, preventive health care, community assessment, public sector finance, epidemiology/statistics, etc.) will open so many doors in my dental career and, more importantly, will make me a more conscientious and community-oriented provider.

 

[reapply2007]

I'd say it is invaluable to have an MPH. It really gives you some perspective on healthcare that is valuable regardless of whether you get into dental school or not. An excellent decision. On-line is typically not as well respected as a campus-based degree mostly because your experiences are limited in terms of degree-related work experience while you earn the degree.