In this edition of MedBound Times, Himani Negi and Dr. Akriti Mishra speak with Dr. Chintan Desai, a Dental Public Health professional currently pursuing advanced residency training in Dental Public Health at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. With a strong foundation in clinical dentistry and a growing focus on population health, Dr. Desai represents a new generation of dentist–public health leaders working at the intersection of care delivery, research, and health equity.
A BDS graduate from Sidhpur Dental College, Gujarat, and holder of a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Jackson State University, Dr. Desai has trained at renowned institutions including the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester. His work on NIH-funded projects and large public health initiatives has strengthened his expertise in data-driven research, program evaluation, and evidence-based dentistry.
Dr. Desai’s academic interests span oral–systemic health, periodontal disease, and epidemiological research using national health databases. He has co-authored peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Cureus and the Journal of Perinatology, presented at forums including AADOCR, NOHC, and the New York State Oral Health Summit, and serves as a peer reviewer for international dental and biomedical journals.
Beyond research, he is deeply committed to preventive care and health equity, contributing to school-based oral health programs, maternal and child initiatives, and community outreach addressing early childhood caries and access to care. His dedication to ethical, service-oriented dentistry has earned him selection as a Fellow of the International Pierre Fauchard Academy (India Section).
In Part 1 of this interview series, Dr. Chintan Desai reflects on his journey from clinical dentistry in India to advanced public health training in the United States, sharing how his MPH reshaped his vision of oral healthcare from an individual focus to a broader, community and population-level impact.
Himani Negi: Dr. Chintan, please introduce yourself to our readers.
Dr. Chintan Desai: I am from India. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry (BDS) from Sidhpur Dental College in Gujarat and later worked for two years at BIMS Multispecialty Hospital as a General Dentist.
Then I decided to come to the USA and pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Jackson State University in Mississippi. After that, I got an opportunity to work in the Oral Health Division of the State Department of Health for my internship.
Since I am from a dental background, I decided to pursue a career in Dental Public Health. I realized that in the USA, there is a specialty called Dental Public Health, which is ADA-approved and CODA-accredited. I completed a one-year program focusing on dental issues, policies, and related areas.
Recently, I enrolled in a two-year Advanced Dental Public Health program, which is community- and research-based. I will gain a clinical approach in a community setting, focusing on specialty care, and also be involved in dental research. So, this is my journey.
Dr. Akriti Mishra: Dr. Desai, what inspired you to choose this field? Why did you choose Masters in Public Health and not Public Health Dentistry?
Dr. Chintan Desai: A Master’s in Public Health is a different field, and Dental Public Health is a different specialty. It is one of the specialties in dentistry.
With a Master’s in Public Health, I can gain experience in both community clinics and research, such as oral health policy or policies related to fluoride. General public health courses provide broad knowledge of public health rather than being dental-specific. So, as per your question, my interest in public health dentistry grew very early in my career through experience.
While working in rural communities in India, I often encountered children and adults with preventable oral diseases who had never received even basic dental care, as I mentioned earlier. Many families believed dental pain was a normal part of life, and access to treatment was limited by distance, cost, or lack of awareness. These encounters made me realize that improving oral health requires more than treating one patient at a time. It requires education, prevention, and a strong community system as well.
When I came to the United States for my public health training, I saw a similar pattern in underserved areas. Although the challenges appeared different, the root causes were still linked to social determinants, access barriers, and a lack of preventive care. That realization inspired me to shift my focus from individual clinical practice to community-oriented work, where I can gain both types of experience, not just a clinical base.
Dental Public Health allows me to combine evidence-based research, outreach programs, and clinical understanding to address oral health at a broader population level. Choosing this path felt natural because it aligns with my desire to create a lasting impact, especially for communities that have historically been overlooked or underserved. All these factors inspired me to gain knowledge in both areas, not just clinically. In purely clinical practice, my work would be limited to day-to-day patient care. In dental public health, I can combine academics and community-based clinics, treat patients, educate communities, and organize healthcare events such as health fairs.
Himani Negi: Really fascinating. Okay, doctor, before we get into the depths of the interview, I’d like to understand your perspective on a few things. I’m from a pharma background and have three years of experience in medical writing. In our medical journalism writing program, I’ve noticed a pattern: many interns come from dentistry backgrounds, and around 80 percent of them pursue a Master’s in Public Health (MPH).
What do you think is the reason? Is dentistry currently saturated in India? Why are so many dentists going abroad? From my discussions with them, better pay and work-life balance seem to be key reasons. But why do they choose MPH instead of pursuing higher degrees like MDS in dentistry? Since you also did an MPH after BDS, what motivated your choice?
Also, could you share your thoughts on the career scope and opportunities after MPH? I understand the program is open to all backgrounds like pharmacists, MBBS doctors, and others. How is MPH different from other programs, and why should someone consider pursuing it?
Dr. Chintan Desai: You mentioned that many dentists consider moving abroad for better compensation and a more balanced lifestyle. The reality is that most people are not fully aware of how complex the process can be. For dentists coming to the United States, there is a very structured pathway to obtaining a dental license.
The first requirement is completing the National Board Dental Examination, which can be quite challenging. Once that is passed, candidates can apply to U.S. dental schools. For those seeking U.S.-based experience in research or public health, whether they come from dentistry, medicine, or the pharmaceutical field, an MPH is a common and practical choice. This is largely because Indian dental degrees are not directly recognized in the United States.
For comparison, MBBS graduates must clear the USMLE to enter medical residency, but Indian dentists cannot directly enter U.S. dental programs. They must first clear the board exams, apply during designated admission cycles, attend interviews, and complete hands-on practical assessments known as bench tests. Only after this process can they be accepted into an advanced standing program, which usually lasts two to two and a half years. Because this pathway is long and competitive, many candidates pursue an MPH to gain public health experience, strengthen their applications, and build a foundation for research. A Master’s in Healthcare Administration is another option, although the MPH aligns more closely with public health and population-based work.
There is also a second option for licensure in a few states, where candidates may apply directly to certain postgraduate programs such as AEGD programs, depending on state regulations.
Another important difference is educational exposure. In the United States, students begin learning foundational sciences such as anatomy, medical concepts, biochemistry, and basic research skills at an early stage. This early exposure creates a strong baseline for future medical or dental training. In contrast, such structured early science preparation is not as commonly integrated in India.
During my dental school training, for example, I encountered patients who had not brushed their teeth for ten or even fifteen years, which reflects broader gaps in awareness and preventive education. However, this has also occurred in the United States. During my dental public health course, we conducted health fairs in places like churches and community organizations. We performed checkups and oral screenings, and I learned that even here, some patients and children had not been brushing for a long time.
Dr. Akriti Mishra: Recently, I have seen that ICMR also has a two-year MPH program. Is it the same MPH that you did in the US?
Dr. Chintan Desai: The structure of MPH programs in India and the United States is similar in many ways because both focus on core public health disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy, and research methods. Programs in India, including the one offered through ICMR, provide strong academic foundations and are well respected.
However, the two programs are not identical. In the United States, many MPH schools are accredited through CEPH, the Council on Education for Public Health. This accreditation is important because some employers, especially government agencies, prefer or require a CEPH-accredited degree. This is one reason certain career paths in the United States may be more accessible to graduates from U.S.-based programs.
That said, an MPH from a recognized Indian university is still valued, and graduates can pursue further studies or professional roles in the United States. Employers usually evaluate an individual’s skills, research experience, and public health background rather than the country where the degree was obtained.
Another difference is the number of opportunities. The United States has a larger and more diverse public health workforce that includes research institutions, hospitals, universities, nonprofit organizations, and local or state health departments. This creates a broader range of roles. At the same time, the job market is quite competitive. Even graduates from U.S. programs must work hard to build experience through internships, research projects, and community-based work.
In summary, the academic foundation is comparable, but the training environment and opportunities can differ. Both programs are valuable. What matters most is how students use the degree, the practical experience they gain, and how they apply those skills in real public health settings.
In the next section, Dr. Desai expands this personal journey into a broader comparison of oral health systems in India and the United States, highlighting what each country does well and where critical gaps remain.