Dental Public Health MSc

Course overview

Dental Public Health is the science and art of preventing oral diseases and promoting oral health to the population. The MSc in Dental Public Health will help you learn about population oral health which is led by internationally recognised educators and researchers who are specialists in clinical dentistry, psychology, sociology, oral epidemiology, and public health.

Dental public health offers you the opportunity to enhance professional, clinical and academic knowledge alongside others from multi-disciplinary backgrounds from around the world. The course will equip you with the understanding and skills to appreciate what a 21st century discipline of dental public health can contribute towards the improvement of health and allows you to collaborate with people who are from a variety of health-related backgrounds.

Research highlights of the course include:

• Introduction to research skills in qualitative and quantitative methodologies. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the role and importance of evidence reviews, literature searching, critical appraisal, project management, ethical issues and evidence synthesis and analysis.
• We’ll support you to develop an individual research project culminating in a dissertation.
• You’ll learn alongside students from multidisciplinary backgrounds from across the world. Two modules are taught and a further two modules are delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development. This learning experience will provide rich networking opportunities and deepen your appreciation of international public health.

Course details

This course – which is only available to study full time – runs from September for one year.

The course is divided into two sections:

• Dental Public Health and Theoretical Basis of Public Health
• Research Theory and Application of Research.

This course combines taught modules with a research project. The course can be categorised in the following way:

Dental Public Health and Theoretical Basis of Public Health

• Dental Public Health and the Science of Behaviours
• Principles of Public Health
• Health Promotion.

Research Theory and Application of Research

• Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics
• Individual Project
• Evidence synthesis and review methodologies.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

All modules are compulsory

Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics (30 credits) – This module offers the basic skills for conducting a scientific research project. It includes training you on project management, searching relevant information, reviewing evidence, academic writing, understanding ethical issues and safety, and being able to analyse data collected from research using appropriate statistical methods.

Individual Project (45 credits) – The preparation of an individual project leading to a written dissertation provides practical experience in independent research which gives a solid foundation for further research. You will agree and undertake an individual project which will draw on knowledge you’ve gained from other course modules. This will deepen your understanding of the philosophy of research, culminating in a research project developed and delivered by you. You may gain experience of working within research groups, with clinical and non-clinical colleagues. Skills will be enhanced in literature searching, data management, interpretation and the critical appraisal of published research. There will be opportunities for you to develop your experience of the presentation of data in both written and oral formats.

Dental Public Health and the Science of Behaviours (45 credits) – This module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis which underpins the specialty of dental public health. The module explores current issues in dental public health in the UK and internationally within a multi-disciplinary approach. You’ll develop the skills to critically think about the concepts, theories and methods employed in the speciality and use these skills to advocate for others. As part of this module, you’ll also explore areas of psychology and sociology, to understand how individual behaviours and determinants of health inform effective population health improvement strategies.

Evidence Synthesis and Review Methodologies (15 credits) – A rigorous evidence review is an essential component of postgraduate level projects and is an essential skill for clinical and social scientists working in health and social care to exhibit competencies in efficiently identifying, critiquing, and distilling evidence for informed decision-making. Evidence synthesis refers to any method of identifying, selecting, and combining results from multiple studies. This module will cover the use of explicit and transparent methodology in the formation of a research question for your individual project. Covering how studies are identified, selected, appraised, analysed, and the strength of the evidence assessed to answer the questioned posed. During the course, you’ll work through the following examples of types of evidence synthesis: Systematic Review, Literature (Narrative) Review and Scoping Review.

Principles of Public Health (International) (30 credits) – This module is delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development and aims to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills required to analyse public health problems from a multidisciplinary perspective. It will strengthen your knowledge of existing and build new health services, programmes, and related management systems to improve the health of populations, communities and specific groups amongst whom the participants work.

You’ll learn about the main principles, concepts, topics and practices of public health, including epidemiology, the various actors and disciplines involved and the range of interventions available. They will focus on the use of and critical evaluation of concepts, methods of data analysis, available evidence, and practical interventions. The module will encourage you to reflect on the importance of social inclusion, good governance, equality and equity and the human right to health in the professional practice of public health.

Health Promotion (15 credits) – This module provides an introduction to health promotion and is delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development. You’ll learn about the dimensions of health promotion, including its various definitions and its history; the analysis of social determinants of health and influences on health behaviours; approaches and models of health promotion, including theories of behaviour change and empowerment models; the core values of health promotion; a number of strategies and methods within health promotion; the role of health promoting settings; and how to plan, implement and evaluate health promotion programmes.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered as a series of modules, containing a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars small group teaching and workshops, complemented by e-learning. Digital technology is used in learning and teaching from our virtual learning environment – MINERVA. This provides access to teaching materials, literature searching via the online library facilities, preparing your own presentations and assignments and research. Active learning is essential throughout the course to maximise your learning opportunities, allowing you to fulfil your own potential.

It will teach you to:

• critically analyse and debate the theories and issues related to dental public health and effectively communicate these ideas
• talk knowledgeably and construct arguments around the social, political and economic factors determining the health of populations
• analyse and synthesise evidence-based research and its application to the practice of dental public health
• understand the scientific basis which underpins dental public health, psychology and sociology, in relation to population health
• understand and implement research including undertaking a research project under one-to-one supervision.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed through a combination of in-course assessments which will include presentations, written assignments, group work, end of module written examinations and a research dissertation. Assessments have been designed to be authentic in reflecting the skills required within the discipline of dental public health. A variety of written assessments will help you to demonstrate your academic literacy, such as a write up of an individual project, short answer questions and critical appraisal. Your written and verbal communication skills will also be assessed in seminar presentations.

Applying

Entry requirements

• A bachelor degree with 2:2 (hons) in a related subject or medical or dental degree. New graduates with limited or no work experience in a health-related area would be expected to have a 2.1 or above.

OR

• Professional qualification with 2 years' work experience.
• Postgraduate experience is preferred, but we will also consider elective experience or experience gained throughout degree.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Please submit your application by 30 May 2025

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Taught Admissions Policy 2024-25

This course is taught by

School of Dentistry

Contact us

School of Dentistry Taught Postgraduate Programme Admissions team

Email: denadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £13,500 (Total)

International: £32,250 (Total)

Deposit

You must pay a £3,000 deposit when you accept your offer to secure your place on the course.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

Dental public health knowledge can support you to apply for positions in health service planning, government offices and health departments, health agencies and in academia.

The MSc has been mapped to the Dental Public Health Speciality Curriculum and key General Dental Council competencies. This degree does not give you specialist status in dental public health in the UK. However, for those undertaking specialist training in dental public health, this Masters degree will confer one-year prior learning of the four-year DPH training pathway.

If you’re interested in further study post your MSc in Dental Public Health, you may be eligible to progress to a PhD or Doctorate of paediatric dentistry programme. You’ll need to identify funding for such an endeavour. If you’re interested in combining your studies in this way, please speak to Professor Gail Douglas, Dr Richard Balmer or our admissions team before applying to find out more about your options.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Service and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.