MDPH Dental Public Health: The University of Manchester

Course description

This is a web-based programme hosted within the School of Dentistry at the University of Manchester. The MDPH programme provides a combination of interactive online learning and project work to help students to develop a critical evidence-based approach to planning services and improving oral health at a population level.

A number of pathways can be followed through this programme leading to different awards, as follows:

• Master of Dental Public Health (MDPH)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Public Health (PGDip DPH)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Dental Public Health (PCGert DPH)

Course units may also be taken singly.

Course aims

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Critically assess evidence that underlies oral health practice
• Use a population approach to health issues
• Demonstrate skills that contribute to public health policy-making and service planning
• Demonstrate the skills necessary to research and answer population health questions

Throughout there is a special emphasis on the critical appraisal of the evidence base and an international perspective on population health.

Career opportunities

The programme is designed to equip students for practice and research in the field of planning and delivery of oral health services. Tutors will work with students to apply this within their own context and health care system. Students may be clinicians, managers, commissioners, providers or researchers.

The programme is also aimed at specialist registrars training for the specialty of Dental Public Health and it is envisaged that it will be acknowledged as preparation for the Diploma in Dental Health of the Royal College of Surgeons (the MDPH is a development and updating of the previous version of MPH which was so recognised).

International students are welcome. No prior detailed knowledge of dentistry, the NHS or service planning is assumed.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

There are two routes of entry:

• A recognised primary degree in a dental subject and a preferred minimum of two years post qualification experience.
• An degree (minimum 2:2) in a non-clinical subject and preferably two years of working experience.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English require a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6 in the written component, TOEFL 575 paper-based, TOEFL 230 computer-based or TOEFL 90 iBT.

This certification must be no more than 12 months old.