Rhonda Stephens

Rhonda Stephens is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. She holds a DDS from the University of Michigan and an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Indiana University. Dr. Stephens specializes in dental public health, with expertise in program management, workforce development, and oral health policy. She directs North Carolina’s Dental Public Health Residency Program and has extensive experience securing federal grants to support oral health initiatives.

Her research focuses on improving oral health outcomes for underserved populations, including military recruits, pregnant women, and elderly residents in assisted living facilities. Key contributions include analyzing urgent dental treatment needs in military populations, advocating for perinatal oral health policies, and assessing oral health disparities in long-term care settings. Dr. Stephens is also active in professional service, currently serving as Co-Chair of the Council of Educational Affairs for the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

• Education:
  • Postdoctoral Certificate in Dental Public Health Residency, NC DHHS (2016)
  • MPH, Indiana University (2014)
  • DDS, University of Michigan (2004)
• Awards:
  • Herschel Horowitz Scholarship (2014)
  • Bessie M. Delaney Postdoctoral Scholarship (2013)
  • Emerging Pearls Foundation 'Honor Her' Award (2011)

Her professional memberships include the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and the National Dental Association. Dr. Stephens has managed over $2.5M in federal grants during her career and currently oversees North Carolina’s accredited dental public health residency program training future specialists.