How can dental public health competencies be addressed at the undergraduate level? Mario A. Brondani, DDS, MSc, MPH, PhD; Komkham Pattanaporn, DDS, MPH, DrPH; Jolanta Aleksejuniene, DDS, MSc, PhD Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Keywords dental education; public health dentistry; community services; self-reflections; competency-based education; dental public health; health workforce. Correspondence Dr. Mario A. Brondani, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z3, Canada. Tel.: 604-822-6562; Fax: 604-822-3562; e-mail: brondani@dentistry.ubc.ca. Mario A. Brondani, Komkham Pattanaporn, and Jolanta Aleksejuniene are with the Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of British Columbia. Received: 4/22/2013; accepted: 7/22/2014. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12070 Journal of Public Health Dentistry 75 (2015) 49–57 Abstract Objectives: To discuss the extent to which an undergraduate dental module addresses dental public health competencies via its different learning pedagogies and to explore the relevance of students’ written reflections on these dental public health competencies. Methods: This article uses a literature review to situate the extent to which dental public health competencies are addressed by the University of British Columbia undergraduate dental module entitled “Professionalism and Community Services” (PACS). It also uses students’ written individual self-reflections (between 100 and 500 words) on community service learning activities to critically illustrate how dental public health competencies support their learning. Results: The PACS dental module is delivered to undergraduate students in all 4 years, more than 190 in total, and addresses six dental public health competencies, including oral health promotion, ethics, and evidence-based practice. The multifac- eted pedagogical approach employed to discuss aspects of dentistry related to dental public health includes guest lectures, community activities, small group activities, self-reflection, and reports. Conclusions: Given the falling number of dental public health professionals in North America, the discussed undergraduate pedagogy aims to sensitize future den- tists to a career focused on dental public health. Through reflections, students pon- dered ideas related to dental public health; they also engaged in developing meaningful activities in various underserved communities. Further studies are needed to evaluate the influence of this community-based curriculum upon stu- dents’ practice choice. Introduction Dental public health is a nonclinical specialty that focuses on assessing the oral health needs and improving the dental health of populations rather than individuals (1-3). This is done by educating the public about oral health and by apply- ing evidence-based research for community-based preven- tion and control of oral and dental diseases (1,2). A dental public health professional must possess broad knowledge and skills in administration, research methods and oral health assessment, prevention and control of oral diseases and oral health promotion, and delivery and financing of oral health care (2,4). In 2008, the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry released the Discipline Competencies for Dental Public Health in Canada, outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the practice of dental public health (4). This document provides the building blocks for effective dental public health, listing competencies in tune with the American accreditation standards in dental public health (2), which fall within the scope of public health as a whole (3,5,6). Such competencies remain suitable for teach- ing undergraduate dental students about the role of the disci- pline of dental public health in the oral health of the population at large. The need for undergraduate education in dental public health In Canada, disparities in oral health and inequities in access to oral health care not only persist but have increased in the past few years (7). Released in 2011, Cycle II of the Canadian Health Measure Survey revealed that approximately 40.36 Journal of Public Health Dentistry . ISSN 0022-4006 49 © 2014 American Association of Public Health Dentistry