The Degree of Master of Dental Public Health (MDPH) is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Note: This programme is not available on a part-time basis.

Prospective students must satisfy the following:

• Students accepted on the course should hold a BDS (Hons) Degree of the NUI or equivalent degree. Healthcare professionals, for example medical doctors, nurses or auxiliary dental workers holding relevant degrees will also be considered;
• Include with application form a sample of their own written work;
• Satisfy an interview board.

Applicants should indicate on their application form their reasons for wishing to enter this programme and will be required to discuss these at interview.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a primary degree in another discipline may be recommended for entry to the programme following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Admission of such applicants may be subject to the approval of the College of Medicine and Health Executive Committee.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
EH6051 Principles and Practice of Public Health (10 credits)
EH6052 Applied Research for Public Health (10 credits)
EH6053 Public Health Informatics (5 credits)
EH6054 Leadership in Public Health (5 credits)
OH6001 Dental Public Health (10 credits)
OH6002 Preventive Dentistry (10 credits)
PA6001 Decision Analysis and Evaluation Methods in Health Care and Health Care Financing (5 credits)
SS6028 Critical Social Science Perspectives on Public Health (5 credits)

Part II
OH6003 Dissertation in Dental Public Health (30 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
Upon successful completion and passing of modules EH6051, EH6052, EH6053, EH6054 to the value of 30 credits, students may in exceptional circumstances opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health. A student who subsequently wishes to complete to the degree of Master must do so within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate Examinations, subject to the course being available.

Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Public Health (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Upon successful completion and passing of modules EH6051, EH6052, EH6053, EH6054, OH6001, OH6002, PA6001 and SS6028 to the value of 60 credits, students may in exceptional circumstances opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Public Health. A student who subsequently wishes to complete to the degree of Master must do so within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the course being available.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Master of Dental Public Health (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Analyse critically and debate the theories and issues related to dental public health and effectively communicate their perspective to peer groups;
• Construct arguments around the social, political and economic factors determining the health of populations;
• Demonstrate competence in the key disciplines and theories underpinning public health including health informatics, epidemiology including needs and demands assessment, communicable diseases including health care associated infections, biostatistics, social and behavioural sciences and social policy;
• Design and discuss the provision, economic evaluation, management and leadership of health services;
• Analyse and synthesise evidence based research and its application to the practice of dental public health;
• Develop and evaluate appropriate oral health protection and promotion initiatives at the population level;
• Develop and apply research methodology by conducting a specified programme of research under appropriate supervision.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Public Health (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically analyse theories and issues related to public health;
• Construct arguments around the social, political and economic factors determining the health of populations;
• Demonstrate competence in the key disciplines and theories underpinning public health including epidemiology, communicable diseases including health care associated infections, biostatistics, social and behavioural sciences;
• Analyse the literature and apply it to public health;
• Critically reflect on their learning and practice and that of their peers;
• Demonstrate logical reasoning in written work and discussion in dental public health;
• Apply enhanced knowledge to the practice of dental public health .

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically analyse theories and issues related to public health;
• Construct arguments around the social, political and economic factors determining the health of populations;
• Demonstrate competence in the key disciplines and theories underpinning public health including epidemiology, communicable diseases including health care associated infections, biostatistics, social and behavioural sciences;
• Analyse the literature and apply it to public health;
• Critically reflect on their learning and practice and that of their peers.

Individual Modules
As part of UCC's commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), healthcare professionals may take a one-off module and be provided with a relevant transcript of marks.