Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry

Link

https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-25-075

Additional Links

Notice of Funding Opportunity (Grants.gov)

Deadline

Application Deadline: Mar 18, 2025

Sponsor

Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW)

Purpose

Offers funding to improve access to and the delivery of oral healthcare services for low-income, underserved, underrepresented minority, rural, and other medically-disadvantaged populations by addressing dental workforce and training needs in these areas. Supports the development of new or enhancement of existing postdoctoral dental residency training programs in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and dental public health.

Funds may be used to plan, develop, and implement projects in community-based training sites and must focus on at least 1 of the following focus areas:

1. Rural training sites - developing and implementing new training and delivery models in community-based organizations (CBOs) or enhancing existing ones in rural areas
2. Underserved populations - developing and implementing new training and delivery models in CBOs or enhancing existing ones for underserved communities
3. Dental public health - developing and testing new or enhanced training in dental public health residency programs, including didactic and experiential training to provide dentists with the skills to manage oral health programs, evaluate systems of care, and design surveillance systems to measure oral health status

Program objectives include:

• Increase the number of postdoctoral trained primary care dentists who choose to practice in rural or underserved areas in CBOs
• Prepare dentists to address the oral health needs of people from disadvantaged backgrounds with complex dental conditions
• Increase the number of dentists trained to manage oral health programs, evaluate systems of care, and design surveillance systems to measure oral health status
• Encouraging primary care dentists to practice dentistry in rural, underserved, or vulnerable communities after completing postdoctoral training programs
• Evaluate the program's progress toward goals, program objectives, and expected outcomes

A detailed list of program requirement and expectations can be found in the funding announcement.

Amount of Funding

Award ceiling: $450,000 per year
Project period: 5 years
Estimated number of awards: Up to 27
Estimated total annual program funding: $12,500,000

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are entities with an accredited dental or dental hygiene program or an approved residency or advanced education program in general, pediatric, or public health dentistry.

Eligible postdoctoral training programs must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) by July 1, 2026.

Fellowships in geriatric, pediatric, or general dentistry that are accredited by a recognized body approved for such a purpose by the Secretary of Education will also meet the accreditation requirement for this opportunity.

If otherwise eligible, applicants may partner with a school of public health to provide a master's degree in public health to dental students, residents, and dental hygiene students.

Applicants are encouraged to address 1 or more of the 8 priority areas found in the funding announcement:

Priority consideration is given under priority area #5 to proposals for programs that target vulnerable populations, such as:

• Older adults
• People experiencing homelessness
• Victims of abuse or trauma
• People with mental health or substance use disorders
• People with disabilities
• Individuals with HIV/AIDS

Geographic Coverage

Nationwide

What This Program Funds

New Program • Operating Costs and Staffing • Training Providers

Application Process

Application instructions, requirements, and other relevant information can be found in the funding announcement.

Contact

For programmatic or technical questions:
Jennifer Holtzman, DDS, MPH
301-945-3368
jholtzman@hrsa.gov

For grants management or budget questions:
John Gazdik
301-443-6962
jgazdik@hrsa.gov

Topics This Program Addresses

Health and Wellness • Healthcare Workforce