Rhonda Stephens DDS, MPH

About

Dr. Stephens is a board certified dental public health specialist with clinical and administrative experience at the local and state level. Prior to joining UNC in 2023, she worked 7 years in a variety of roles with the NC Division of Public Health, Oral Health Section, gaining extensive experience in the management of a state oral health program.  

Dr. Stephens has a record of securing and administering federal grant funding, most often to support oral health workforce development initiatives in collaboration with partners across the state. She also directs the Division’s accredited Dental Public Health Residency Program to educate and train future dental public health specialists.  
Prior to her tenure in governmental public health, Dr. Stephens served 10 years as an FQHC dental director in Indiana.

Dr. Stephens is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, National Dental Association, American Dental Association and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.   Outside of public health, she loves all types of food, outdoor festivals, action-sci fi movies and her 15 year old Westie, Sasha.

Honors and Awards

Herschel Horowitz Scholarship recipient
2014, American Association of Public Health Dentistry Foundation

Bessie M. Delaney Postdoctoral Scholarship recipient
2013, National Dental Association/Colgate-Palmolive

‘Honor Her’ Award - Health Promotion
2011, Emerging Pearls Foundation, Inc.

Merit Award
2004, Pierre Fauchard Academy

Darryl Hawkins Memorial Scholarship recipient
2002, Student National Dental Association

Colgate-Palmolive Scholarship recipient
2001 and 2003, National Dental Association Foundation

Service Activities

• Director - NC Dental Public Health Residency, NC DHHS, 2021 – current
• Co-Chair - Council of Educational Affairs, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, 2022 - current
  

Key Publications

Risk Indicators of Urgent and Extensive Dental Treatment Needs in US Air Force Recruits. Norris, J. R., Irwin, S. P., Park, J., Stephens, R. A., Moss, M. E., & Weintraub, J. A (2021). Military Medicine, 186(1-2), e194-e202.
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Perinatal oral health among underserved women: A call to action for North Carolina patients, providers and policymakers. Stephens, R., Quinonez, R., Boggess, K., & Weintraub, J. A. (2020). Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24.
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Oral health status of adults in North Carolina assisted living facilities. Stephens, R., & White, B. A. (2019). Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 79(3), 198-206.

Education