Dentists and dental students interested in becoming clinician-scholars and earning a Ph.D. from a social science program can apply through Dec. 1 to enroll at the University of Chicago.
The Program in Dentistry, the Social Sciences, and Health seeks to train dentists to conduct research on oral health, systemic health and society.
“Oral health has significant yet often overlooked impact on the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities,” according to the University of Chicago Center for Health and Social Sciences website. “Successful efforts to understand this impact and improve oral health require innovative leaders who have dental training and a deep understanding of oral health’s underlying socioeconomic causes and consequences.”
Prospective students can choose from about a dozen eligible doctoral programs including sociology, political science, economics and public health sciences.
Dental students may apply to the program before their first, second or third year. Once admitted, dental students will work with their dental school, their Ph.D. program and DeSH faculty to develop a training timeline.
Dental professionals can apply at any point during their professional careers. Once admitted, they will complete their program at the University of Chicago.
Those accepted to the program are integrated into the Center for Health and the Social Sciences. Students also receive tuition and stipend support for their graduate training at the university. Grant funding from the Richmond Foundation provides one year of support, and each student’s Ph.D. program provides support for the remaining years of graduate training.
For more information, visit chess.uchicago.edu/DeSH.