Richard W. Rubin, DDS, MPH Faculty - Dentistry

My main interests are in exploring the interface of public health and oral health, and in developing culturally competent/community-minded dental students . In 2001, at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine, I designed and initiated the ongoing non-clinical phase of the Student Community Outreach Program and Education (SCOPE I) and expanded the student clinical component of community service (SCOPE II). This overall program involves dental students’ (I-IV) community activities and service, both non-dental and clinical participation, in underserved communities throughout western Pennsylvania. The goals of the SCOPE program are to help: 1) develop the students’ cultural competence and communication skills, 2) create more empathic, personally-committed dentists, and 3) create a social norm of community-mindedness among dentists. My research explores the development of these attitudes and beliefs among dental students and the relationship of SCOPE activities in this process. I am also interested in evaluating and implementing new approaches in teaching and learning. This includes techniques based upon active adult-learning modules, “learning communities,” debates, and discussion boards. Recent work involved an Innovation in Education grant from the Provost’s office, where I introduced WIKI programming to the University BlackBoard system. As coordinator for the dual-degree program (DMD/MPH), in affiliation with the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), I am involved in the public health career development of selected dental students. In this role, I serve as a faculty member (secondary position) at the GSPH, work an advisor and reader on the GSPH student essay committee, and co-direct the Contemporary Issues in Dental Public Health course, designed for all students interested in dental public health. As a core faculty member of LEND Pittsburgh, I am involved in “special needs” training programs for dental students, By combining LEND principles and programs, the dental students, through SCOPE I and II, receive additional exposure to the special needs community by developing 1)  inter-disciplinary training experiences, 2) student community service participation for special needs and other underserved populations, and 3) student clinical activity at special needs health centers throughout western Pennsylvania.