Dental Public Health and Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dental Public Health and Education is a specialized field dedicated to advancing oral health at the population level through scientific research, strategic planning, and community-based interventions. This program equips professionals with the expertise to address systemic challenges in dental care, reduce disparities, and promote long-term wellness across diverse communities.
- Preventive Dentistry: Focuses on strategies and clinical practices designed to prevent oral diseases before they develop, emphasizing early intervention and patient education.
- Oral Health and Quality of Life: Explores the profound impact of oral conditions on physical well-being, mental health, social interaction, and overall life satisfaction.
- Patient and Practitioner Behavior: Investigates the psychological, cultural, and social factors that influence how individuals and dental professionals engage with oral health care.
- Dental Epidemiology: Applies population-level data analysis to understand the distribution, causes, and trends of oral diseases within communities.
- Nutrition and Dental Health: Examines the role of dietary patterns and nutritional intake in the development and prevention of dental caries, periodontal disease, and other oral conditions.
- Dental Care Policy and Delivery: Analyzes frameworks for organizing, financing, and improving access to equitable and efficient dental services across different settings.
- Oral Health Program Planning and Administration: Develops skills in designing, implementing, and managing public health initiatives aimed at improving community oral health outcomes.
- Biostatistics: Provides tools for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting health data to inform evidence-based decisions and evaluate program effectiveness.
- Research Methods: Trains students in rigorous scientific inquiry, including study design, data collection, ethical considerations, and the application of findings to real-world public health challenges.
Dental Public Health and Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dental Public Health and Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dental Public Health and Education degrees, including Dentists, All Other Specialists, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Health Education Specialists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 300,770 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists 29-1029 | $225,770 | $75,360 - $239,200 | 5,900 | $108.54 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Health Education Specialists 21-1091 | $63,000 | $42,210 - $112,900 | 65,150 | $30.29 |
Dental Public Health and Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $56,335 in Hawaii to $142,560 in Massachusetts—a 153% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, Arkansas, and Texas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 300,770 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Dental Public Health and Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 13 institutions offering Dental Public Health and Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Dental Public Health and Education is found at St Petersburg College (SPC) (31 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (8 graduates), Ilisagvik College (8 graduates), Boston University (BU) (7 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 84 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Ilisagvik College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Barrow, Alaska | Public | ilisagvik.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
|
5 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Temple University |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
3 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Master's
|
3 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Post-Master's
|
3 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
2 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dental Public Health and Education programs
How much can I earn with a Dental Public Health and Education degree?
Salaries for Dental Public Health and Education graduates vary by role and location. Dentists, All Other Specialists earn a median of $225,770 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $142,560 compared to $56,335 in Hawaii. Approximately 300,770 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Dental Public Health and Education programs?
Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Dental Public Health and Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include St Petersburg College (SPC) (31 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (8 graduates), and Ilisagvik College (8 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Dental Public Health and Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 16 in 2010 to 84 in 2023-24. This represents a 425% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Dental Public Health and Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dentists, All Other Specialists, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and Health Education Specialists. Related occupations employ approximately 300,770 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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