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. Fellows gain skills to address public health challenges, conduct independent oral health research, and foster collaboration across disciplines.
This fellowship includes a one-year full-time dental public health residency, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 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 cross-disciplinary collaborations. They engage with scientists from multiple NIH institutes and federal partners, gaining experience in areas that connect oral health to broader systemic health. 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.
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 NIDCR Dental Public Health Research Fellowship provides interdisciplinary training that integrates didactic, experiential, and research components to prepare fellows for leadership in dental, oral, and craniofacial public health research. Leading experts from a range of disciplines mentor fellows as they develop training plans, manage their projects, and prepare for future career opportunities.
First-Year Curriculum
Coursework: Fellows engage in critical thinking and stay current with the latest research and trends in dental public health through seminars, grant writing and research-related training, book reviews, as well as journal clubs. The coursework also 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 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.
Examples of these projects conducted in collaboration with other institutes include:
- Oral Health, Taste, and Smell – National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Oral Health Outcomes in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation – National Institute on Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Oral Microbiome and Dementia – National Institute on Aging
- Tobacco-Related Health Disparities – National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- Oral Cancer Detection and HPV-Related Knowledge – National Cancer Institute
- Bruxism, Sleep Stages, and Sleep Apnea – National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Professional Development: Fellows have opportunities to experience peer teaching, mentoring, forum presentations, research peer-reviewed publications, career development workshops, and training in grantsmanship and communication. Fellows also engage in leadership programs and join professional organizations and research interest groups, enhancing their professional growth and career readiness.
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-year oral health research fellowship, fellows receive an additional certificate recognizing their advanced, collaborative research training in oral health.
Meet the Program Faculty
Meet Our Research Fellows
Educational Requirements
To be eligible for this fellowship, applicants must hold:
A dental degree (D.D.S. or D.M.D.) from a United States dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or a Canadian dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Note: International dentists with equivalent dental training are also eligible to apply.
- A graduate degree in public health (Master of Public Health or comparable degree) from an accredited school of public health in the United States or Canada.
How to Apply
Apply for the 2026‒27 program year here.
The application deadline is December 31, 2025.
Equal consideration is given to all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or age.