Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene - The need to improve access to and delivery of oral health care services in rural and isolated communities has never been more critical. Social factors impacting health have exacerbated poor oral health outcomes among children and adolescents. Addressing this requires an innovative approach to training the next generation of pediatric dentists. The University of Michigan/Mott Children’s Health Center/Hurley Medical Center Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program is a 30-month program that has included, since 1993, 12 total months of clinical rotation to Mott Children’s Health Center—an independent community health center dedicated to serving children and adolescents living in poverty in Flint and the surrounding rural area of Genesee County, Michigan. This immersive training experience, comprising 40% of the total residency program length, fully prepares graduates to serve at-risk populations within a community-based healthcare setting. However, there remains a gap in formally integrating public health competencies into the curriculum. To address this, we propose the integration of a Public Health Certificate Program in Social Epidemiology into our Residency Program. The Social Epidemiology Certificate Program explores social-structural factors such as stress, neighborhood context, and community dynamics on health outcomes. We also propose to develop a comprehensive course, Quality Improvement (QI) in Community Dentistry, culminating in a capstone QI project in a community-based setting. These significant enhancements will broaden residents' understanding of social health factors and equip them to take on leadership roles within community-based organizations, address complex oral health needs, and lead innovative care models. Our goals include increasing the number of dentists practicing in these settings, preparing them to manage complex health conditions, and equipping them to lead oral health programs. This project addresses the critical need for skilled pediatric dentists who can effectively serve in and lead community-based settings. By combining clinical excellence with public health expertise, the enhanced residency program stands to significantly improve oral health outcomes in communities of need.
