Overview
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.
Course detail
The course consists of six modules with assignments and written examinations, and a research project module in dental public health assessed by dissertation. It includes opportunities to work and learn with a multidisciplinary team, practical experience in some dental public health activities, and involvement in high quality research. The programme is also recognised for the Royal College of Surgeons of England Diploma in Dental Public Health examination. The MSc in Dental Public Health is especially for people, not just dentists, who intend to become planners, managers of services, epidemiologists, health promoters and teachers of public health dental subjects. The course aims to produce a highly knowledgeable individual, proficient and skilful in dental public health with an appreciation of the need for lifelong learning and the need for application of advances in relevant knowledge.
Teaching and assessment
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. This course is primarily taught at King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus. Students also attend cross-disciplinary postgraduate teaching sessions at King’s College London Guy’s Campus. Your performance in modules of 30 credits will be assessed through a combination of coursework (essays questions) and unseen written examinations. For modules of 15 credits, one single assessment will normally be used (either essay questions or unseen written examinations), which contributes 100% to your final mark. The dissertation is assessed as a written research report, including a research protocol and a scientific manuscript ready for submission to a peer-reviewed indexed dental journal.