This Dental Public Health MSc is a dynamic course that challenges you to think critically about oral health at a population level.
You’ll learn about topics such as the philosophy and principles of dental public health, the causes of dental health problems and how they occur and spread in communities, the methods you can use to control or prevent oral and dental diseases and how to promote oral health.
You’ll look at how oral health services are organised and delivered and how to plan and evaluate oral health. You’ll also study social and behavioural sciences as well as research methods, epidemiology and statistics that you can apply to public health dentistry.
Throughout this master’s in dental public health, you’ll consider research themes, including the social determinants of oral health inequalities, the burden of oral diseases on individuals and society, and health services research, including the dental workforce.
I decided to apply for a masters in Dental Public Health to enable me to acquire core knowledge of the subject - both academic and clinical aspects. My professors and lecturers are very dedicated and competent.
This Dental Public Health MSc is for anyone who wants to become a planner, manager of services, epidemiologist, health promoter and teacher of public health dental subjects, not just dentists.
This fascinating area of public health focuses on oral and dental diseases, which are some of the most common diseases in the world — and also preventable. They require action not just by individuals but also by policymakers and governments.
During this master’s in dental public health, you’ll learn what causes these diseases, how they occur and spread in communities, and how they can be treated and prevented. You’ll also consider what influences oral health inequalities and how these diseases affect people and society.
You’ll learn skills that will help you tackle these challenges, from studying epidemiology to learning how to conduct your own research and analyse statistics. You’ll also be taught how to plan and evaluate for oral health and apply social sciences to public dental health.
There’s a strong focus on building your technical skills, too. You’ll learn how to critically appraise evidence, design oral health surveys, plan and evaluate dental programmes, devise research protocols and manage data.
You’ll also get the opportunity to build your practical experience in dental public health by completing a placement. You could work and learn with a multidisciplinary team, get practical experience in some dental public health activities, or contribute to high-quality research.
Your MSc will culminate in a research project, where you’ll get to apply everything you’ve learnt from the previous year of study. You’ll produce a dissertation in a format that you can submit for publication in scientific journals.
You’ll also be supported in preparing for the Diploma in Dental Public Health examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
This public health dentistry course is primarily taught at King’s College London's Denmark Hill Campus. Students also attend cross-disciplinary postgraduate teaching sessions at King’s College London's Guy’s Campus.
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person / Classroom & Online
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
One year, five days per week, September to September
Credit value:
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Denmark Hill, in Southwark, London, is a vibrant area known for its historical landmarks and green spaces. Home to King's College and the Maudsley Hospitals, it also features Ruskin Park, named after John Ruskin, and the Camberwell College of Arts.
Located near London Bridge, Guy’s Campus offers a dynamic yet focused environment, ideal for health and science students. Offering cutting-edge labs and a close-knit academic community, at the heart of one of London’s most vibrant and historic areas.
