Dental Public Health

A dynamic course that challenges you to think critically about oral health at population level. Subjects covered include the philosophy and principles of dental public health; the major health problems of a community (and their determinants); the organisation and delivery of oral health services; research methods, epidemiology and statistics; methods of control and prevention of oral and dental diseases; planning and evaluation for oral health; and social and behavioural sciences as applied to dentistry.

Our research themes include the social determinants of oral health inequalities, the burden of oral diseases on individuals and society, and health services research, including dental workforce.

Key benefits:

• Practical experience in dental public health by participating in teaching, research health promotion and health services activities during placements.
• Strong emphasis on evidence-based prevention of oral disease at population level.
• Developing technical skills in dental public health such as critical appraisal of evidence, designing oral health surveys, planning and evaluting dental programmes, devising research protocols and data management.
• A dissertation format that enables students to submit their work for publication in scientific journals.
• In-house preparation for the Diploma in Dental Public Health examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours in a relevant subject plus an interest in dental public health, community dentistry, preventive programmes, health promotion, and/or special needs care. Evidence of experience of research, report writing or relevant knowledge is desirable.

MSc

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required modules:

You are required to take:

• Introduction to Dental Public Health (20 credits)
• Principles of Epidemiology (20 credits)
• Research Methods (20 credits)
• Oral Health Promotion & Oral Disease Prevention (20 credits)
• Planning & Evaluation for Oral Health (20 credits)
• Dental Public Health Research Project (60 credits)

Optional modules:

You are required to take one of two 20 credit optional modules:

• Basic Statistics for Dental Public Health (20 credits)
• Social & Behavioural Sciences as Applied to Medicine & Dentistry (20 credits)

King's College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study.

Required Modules:

• Introduction to Dental Public Health: Module code: 7NPHPH01: Credit level: 7

This 20 credit module aims to provide students with an overview of the principles, philosophy and strategies underpinning the practice of Dental Public Health and to provide students with an understanding of the structure of health care systems and the drivers of change within a system. At the end of the module, you will be able to: demonstrate a detailed systematic knowledge, critical awareness and application of the main principles and strategies in dental public health; and discuss the principles of the primary health care approach, how they are evidenced in practice and their use as a strategy for the organisation of oral health care services. Assessment is by coursework and written examination.

Fees:

• Full time overseas fees:

King's College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2018/19) and among the oldest in England.

King's vision is to make the world a better place, building on our history of pioneering research that has advanced and shaped modern life, such as: the discovery of the structure of DNA; research to better understand autism and develop life-changing therapies; informing air pollution awareness and policy; research that led to the development of radio, radar, television and mobile phones; and making maths available to the underprivileged. These are all ways that we are having a transformational impact on society.

Our intellectually rigorous teaching environment is coupled with a commitment to providing a rich and supportive student experience. We have more than 31,000 students (of whom nearly 12,800 are postgraduates, with 1,000 students enrolled in online masters courses) from 150 countries worldwide, meaning that students are part of a truly international community. Our 8,500 members of staff collaborate with students to help them get the most out of their degree. Many of our academics are also researchers working within and influencing their industries, meaning that students learn the latest thinking and understand its practical and contemporary relevance.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas'​, King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services.