Advanced Education in General Dentistry—Rural Track
Advanced Education in General Dentistry—Rural Track
Serve rural communities in New Hampshire and earn a $50,000 annual stipend while completing advanced clinical training.
Expand your clinical expertise while expanding access to care
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Rural Track prepares dentists to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care while addressing oral health needs in underserved communities throughout New Hampshire.
Through advanced clinical training, community-based practice experiences, and mentorship, residents develop the confidence and skills needed to provide comprehensive dental care while improving access to care in rural settings.
Graduates are prepared to deliver high-quality patient care and become leaders committed to improving oral health in underserved communities.
Program at a glance
Program details
| Program details | Information |
|---|---|
Program start | July |
Program duration | 12 months |
Learning format | In person |
Credential awarded | Certificate |
Annual stipend | $50,000 |
Tuition | N/A |
Program fees | Harvard student health plan (paid by program), facility fee (paid by program), malpractice insurance ($554.84, paid by resident). |
Application overview
Review the additional application requirements specific to this program. For general eligibility, required documents, application fees, and instructions for submitting your application, visit the Advanced Graduate Education Admissions page.
| Admissions detail | Information |
|---|---|
Application deadline | February 1 |
Number of residents accepted | 3 |
Eligibility | Applicants must hold a DDS or DMD from a CODA-accredited dental school by the time of enrollment, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be eligible for New Hampshire dental licensure. |
Application platform | Apply through the ADEA PASS application system. |
Application fee | $95 non-refundable |
Who should apply?
This program is designed for dentists who want to expand their clinical skills while making a meaningful impact in rural communities.
Ideal candidates:
- Hold or will earn a DDS or DMD before enrollment
- Enjoy comprehensive general dentistry
- Are committed to serving underserved populations
- Value collaborative, team-based care
- Want advanced clinical experience in community health settings
Why I chose the Rural Track
I had the privilege of working with community health organizations, where I experienced firsthand the transformative power of outreach and service. These experiences have had a profound impact on me, both professionally and personally.
Clinical experience
Residents develop advanced clinical skills through comprehensive patient care, community-based rotations, structured didactic instruction, research, and faculty mentorship while serving rural and underserved communities across New Hampshire.
Residents rotate through a network of affiliated clinical sites that provide experience in a variety of rural and community-based practice settings.
- Dental Health Works (Keene)
- Mid-State Health Center (Bristol)
- Greater Seacoast Community Health (Somersworth)
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon)
- Coos County Family Health Services (Berlin)
- Oral Healthcare@Home, Inc. (Manchester)
- Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center (Nashua)
- Monadnock Perio & Implant Center (Keene)
In addition to clinical training, residents participate in a structured educational program that reinforces evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
Residents complete:
- Weekly interactive seminars delivered via Zoom
- A faculty-mentored research project
- A scholarly poster presentation
- Periodic in-person educational sessions at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Program policies & accreditation
Review accreditation information and institutional policies that support your educational experience at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Rural Track is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
The Commission on Dental Accreditation is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Commission on Dental Accreditation
401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3300
Chicago, IL 60611-4250
Phone: (312) 440-4653
Website: coda.ada.org
Accreditation of the program does not constitute recognition of any dental specialty status.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is committed to protecting student privacy in both on-campus and remote learning environments.
To safeguard student information, HSDM provides:
- A unique Harvard ID and HarvardKey account for every student
- Secure access to enrollment, classroom, and student information systems
- Two-factor authentication to protect institutional accounts
- Identity verification during onboarding through government-issued identification and required background screening (CORI)
These measures help ensure that student records, educational resources, and online learning environments remain secure throughout the program.
Ready to expand your impact beyond the clinic?
Consider HSDM’s Dental Public Health (DPH) program, which offers multiple pathways to develop leadership, policy, and research skills that advance community oral health.
AEGD - rural track program news
Explore the latest stories and updates on how the AEGD – Rural Track program is improving dental care in rural New Hampshire.
Rural dental residency program receives a lifeline from donor organizations
When federal funds to HSDM’s rural residency program went unpaid, a coalition of regional partners stepped up to secure the program’s future.
Rural dental residency program in New Hampshire created a pipeline of young dentists to serve in remote areas
The state’s most vulnerable dental patients are now at risk as federal funding for the program goes unpaid
Bridging the dental workforce gap in New Hampshire
HSDM Secures $3 Million Grant to Expand Dental Public Health in Rural Areas
Program director
John Anthony Zdanowicz
john_zdanowicz@hsdm.harvard.edu
Take the next step
Learn more about the application process and prepare your application for the next admissions cycle.