Overview
The Master’s Degree in Dental Public Health & Community Dentistry is a postgraduate program designed to develop professional competence in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of oral health programs at the community and population levels. The program integrates public health principles with research-oriented learning, enabling dentists to apply epidemiological methods, biostatistics, and evidence-based strategies to promote oral health, prevent disease, and improve access to dental care.
About the Program
The Master’s Degree of Dental Public Health & Community Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University is a three-year program comprising four academic semesters over 2 years and a thesis. Upon successful fulfilment of all program requirements, graduates are awarded an officially accredited Master’s Degree certificate specifying the approved field of specialization and the title of the thesis.
How to Apply
Applications for registration must be submitted during February and March of each year. Due dates will be officially announced through the faculty website https://www.asu.edu.eg/dentistry/en. Applications for international students in Egypt are centrally managed through the "Study in Egypt" platform (admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg) and the Ministry of Higher Education's system (wafeden.gov.eg). Accepted candidates are notified through post-graduate studies administration office via e-mail.
Admission Requirements
● Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree of Oral and Dental Medicine and Surgery (BDS) from a recognized Faculty of Dentistry in Egypt, or an equivalent degree approved by the Supreme Council of Universities.
● Applicants must have completed the mandatory internship year. For international students, clinical practice or training in an approved medical centre or a governmental hospital could be accepted instead of the internship year.
● Applicants should have a minimum overall Bachelor’s grade of “Good”. Applicants with a “Pass” grade may apply for the master’s program after being awarded a postgraduate diploma in the relevant specialty.
● Applicants must submit an official approval from their employer confirming permission to be enrolled in the Master of Dental Public Health & Community Dentistry and commitment to full-time study throughout the program duration.
Program Structure and Duration
● Program Structure: The Master’s Degree of Dental Public Health & Community Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University is a three-year program. Candidates should complete 45 credit hours over two years (four semesters), including a comprehensive series of courses, in addition to 20 credit hours for the thesis.
● Course Load: Each semester includes compulsory and elective courses, with a maximum of 18 credit hours.
● Semester Duration: 16 weeks per semester.
● Clinical Training: The program provides structured clinical and field-based training that enables students to apply public health principles in real community settings. Training includes participation in community oral health programs, preventive and promotive dental services, epidemiological surveys, and needs assessment activities. Students also develop research-related competencies through data collection, analysis and interpretation, gain practical experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating oral health initiatives.
● Didactic Courses and Seminars: The program includes structured lectures, seminars, and case-based discussions covering dental public health principles, epidemiology, biostatistics, preventive dentistry, health promotion, oral health education, and health policy. The educational framework emphasizes evidence-based practice, program planning and evaluation, community needs assessment, research methodology, and ethical considerations in public health dentistry.
● Thesis Requirement: This program requires thesis.
Requirements for Graduation
● Full-time Study: Students must commit fully to the program.
● Attendance: Regular attendance is required; up to 25% absence may be excused in special cases.
● Academic requirements: All courses should be passed with a minimum grade of (C) and a cumulative GPA of at least (2.44).
● Practical/Clinical training: Students must complete all required practical and clinical tasks, documented in a logbook. A minimum of 75% completion is required to sit for exams.