Department of Population Oral Health
The Evolution of Population Oral Health at UIC(History)
The Evolution of Population Oral Health at UIC
The Department of Population Oral Health is the first new department established within the UIC College of Dentistry in more than 30 years. Approved by the dean, College Executive Committee, UIC Senate, University of Illinois Board of Trustees and Illinois Board of Higher Education in 2025, the department reflects the evolving understanding of oral health as a critical component of overall health and well-being. Guided by the World Health Organization’s definition of oral health, the department focuses on improving oral health outcomes for individuals, communities and populations through education, research and service.
Connecting Education, Research and Community Impact
The Department of Population Oral Health serves as a hub for predoctoral education in clinical and community-based oral disease prevention and control and is the academic home of the joint DMD/MPH program. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional education, the Department prepares future oral health professionals to address the needs of diverse populations and communities. Faculty advance the field through research focused on population oral health, health equity and evidence-based approaches to disease prevention and health promotion. The Department also develops and supports service-learning opportunities that enhance students’ confidence and competence in delivering preventive care, minimally invasive disease management and oral health services for persons with disabilities. Through its educational, research and community engagement missions, the Department is committed
to improving oral health outcomes and reducing disparities
across populations.
Population Oral Health Programs and Initiatives
- Community-based service learning
- Evidence-based dentistry
- Interprofessional education
- Pilsen Center for Oral Health Promotion
- Inclusive Care Clinic
- Joint DMD-MPH program
Department Priorities, Teaching and Current Research
Priorities
FY2026 Priorities
- Pursue philanthropic support for ICC
- Launch 4-year joint DMD/MPH program
- Improve oral health promotion and disease prevention in COD and beyond
Mid- to Long-term Priorities
- Expand graduate education in Population Health
- Enhance research in population oral health and care for persons with disabilities
- Achieve financial sustainability of Inclusive Care Clinic and Pilsen Center for Oral Health Promotion
Department Teaching 2024-2025
- DAOB 311
- DAOB 312
- DAOB 322
- DAOB 323
- DAOB 332
- DAOB 342
- DCLE 341
- DCLE 342
- DCLE 343
- OSCI 560 (Structure, Organization and Regulation of Dental Healthcare and Research)
- Foundation for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Current Research
- A community engagement approach to improving communication with Black menabout oral and pharyngeal cancers – American Cancer Society
- Inter-Professional Community Based Oral Disease Prevention Treatment Linkage forChildren in Head Start – Institute of Medicine Chicago/Portes Foundation
- Healing Relationship: Empathy and Compassion in Practice — WisconsinCollaborative for Healthcare Quality
- Oral inflammation in the progression and severity of Parkinson’s Disease(Schwartz/Rush U.)
- Oral pathologies in the development of COVID-19 manifestations (Schwartz/Naqvi)
- Association of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in early childhood cariesrecurrence – Colgate Palmolive
