According to the American Dental Association, “dental public health is that part of dentistry providing leadership and expertise in population-based dentistry, oral health surveillance, policy development, community-based disease prevention and health promotion, and the maintenance of the dental safety net.  Dental public health and the private practice model of care delivery together bear the responsibility of assuring optimal oral health for all Americans - individuals and populations.” 

The Department of Dental Public Health supports this definition through its curricula, engaging community service initiatives, and cross-disciplinary research activities.