BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (BDS)

Entry requirements:

  • Candidates for admission must have satisfied general University admission criteria of a C+ in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or equivalent level of education.Aminimum C+ grade pass will be mandatory in each of the cluster subjects.

The cluster points for Bachelor of Dental Surgery in KCSE are as follows:

Alternative A Alternative B

Biology Biological Sciences

Chemistry Physical Sciences

Physics/Mathematics Mathematics

English/Kiswahili English/Kiswahili

  • In addition to the above, eligibility for consideration for admission into the Module IIDegree Programme (Privately sponsored students) in the School of Dental Sciences shall be governed by the following admission requirements outlined under each category.

1. Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE)

a) Two principal level passes and one subsidiary in Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) or equivalent level of Education in the following subjects:

  • Biology
  • Physics/Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • General paper

b) A minimum ‘O’ level division II pass or C+ mean grade in KCSE in addition to three year diploma(Credit) from a recognized Medical Training Institution in the following specialties:

  • Dental Technology
  • Dental Surgery Assistant
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Community Oral Health
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Laboratory Technology
  • Radiography
  • Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Radiography
  • Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Nursing
  • Education(Biology/Chemistry)
  • In addition, the applicant must be serving in the relevant field of their training at the time of their application

2. Bachelor of Science Degree in any of the Science subjects from the University of Nairobi or equivalent from Universities and Institutions recognized by Senate.

3. Masters in Medical based Science of the University of Nairobi or equivalent in the following:

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Public Health
  • Human Anatomy
  • Microbiology

4. PhD holders in any of the following fields:

  • Medical Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

Foreign students from non-English speaking countries should show competence in English language by producing test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) certificate or equivalent.

Credit transfers, exemptions:

The criteria for admission are flexible in terms of credit transfers and exemptions depending on the applicant’s qualifications at the time of admission. A candidate who wishes to be exempted from any course unit shall follow the procedure set below:

  • He/She shall be required to send a formal application of exemption to the Academic Registrar justifying his or her request and attaching evidence of the credentials, which will support such a request.
  • He/She may be required to submit to an exemption examination set and administered by the respective departments and the results be submitted to the Faculty Board of Examiners.
  • A Candidate must have attained a minimum grade of pass for the course for which exemption is applied.
  • Applicants for exemption shall be considered only after the applicant has paid exemption fee as may be decided by the faculty Board and approved by the Senate.
  • No exemption of credit transfers shall be allowed in any clinical course i.e. Level 3 and 4 except in some special circumstances as may be approved by Senate on recommendation by the Faculty Board.

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING:

Post graduate Remedial Training:

This course conducted at the School of Dental Sciences, University Dental Hospital (UDH) is designed for graduates trained outside Kenya who may wish to prepare themselves to sit for the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board Examinations and also those Practitioners wishing to gain more competence in their specialized areas in dentistry.

The courses are designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills for individuals who are holders of Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree from a recognized University.

Duration of the Course:

The duration of the course shall be 2 weeks in any discipline; however specific requests can be made for extension subject for fulfillment of other conditions. Graduateswishing to rotate through other disciplines may also do so.The graduates shall be provided with reading materials on ethics and law in Dentistry. They will also be allowed access to the library and dental literature.

The standard sessions for each of the disciplines per week are as follows:

  • Theoretical Sessions 5 hours
  • Practical/Clinical Sessions 32 hours
  • Library Sessions 3 hours

Each course shall be supervised by specialists in that field and as far as possible; graduates will be provided with patients relevant to his/her choice of course.

Continous evaluation will be done during the clinical and practical sessions by the supervisors and a multiple choice question papers covering the course to evaluate the student’s level of achievement will be given at the end of the course.

REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY (MDS) IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Introduction:

The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Degree in Paediatric Dentistry is essential for training specialized manpower for the country so as to improve the Paediatric Dental Specialist: Patient ratio which currently stands at 1:7 million Paediatric Patients to 1:1000, 000.The Department is able to provide postgraduate training for the East and Central Africa Region, as this is the first Postgraduate programme in Dental Science in the region.

Regulations:

The common regulations for master’s Degree in all faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply to the Master of Dental Surgery in Paediatric Dentistry.

Entry requirements:

Candidates should have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Degree of the University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification approved by the University of Nairobi. The Degree must be registrable with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.

Candidates should have at least 3 years experience in clinical dentistry of which one year shall constitute internship training and two years at a Dental Hospital/Clinic

Course duration:

The master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Paediatric Dentistry shall extend for a period of not less than three academic years of full time training.

Course Structure:

The MDS in Paediatric Dentistry shall consist of course work, clinical work, and original research leading to a dissertation. All the courses for the MDS Paediatric Dentistry shall be compulsory.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY:

The common regulations for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all schools shall apply.

MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY IN ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Introduction:

The master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (MDS-OMFS),programme is intended to train oral health officers to master the diagnosis, treatmentand prevention of oral and maxillofacial diseases and related orofacial problems as well as give a sound scientific foundation to enable them teach undergraduate and postgraduate students and to carry out original research. This will ensure the caliber of graduates who will sustain the discipline though practice, research and continuing education.

The objectives of this course are to:

  • Provide candidates with a comprehensive background for the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery as a speciality
  • Train candidates in research skills to enable them carry out independent and original work.

Entry requirements:

The common regulations for masters degrees in all schools of the University of Nairobi shall apply.

Candidates shall be holders of Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree of the University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution approved by the University of Nairobi Senate. The degree must be registrable by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.

Candidates shall have at least one year of working experience in clinical dental surgery after internship training.

Course Duration and Structure:

The Master of Dental Surgery in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery shall take a minimum of four and a maximum of eight academic years of full time training and shall consist of course work, clinical duties and original research work leading to a dissertation. The research project will start in the second year and shall be examined in the final year.

Transfer of credits:

Students who wish to transfer course work credits for similar courses taken in other institutions recognized by Senate may, on recommendation of the School Board and the Board of Postgraduate studies, be allowed to transfer credits for up to one third of the number of courses offered in the programme, provided the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • They must have passed in the relevant courses at Masters level
  • The course must have similar content and contact hours as the one from which credit transfer is desired. Evidence of course content and contact hours shall be attached to the application.
  • The applicants shall pay the exemption application fee as determined by the University.

REGULATIONS FOR MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY IN PERIODONTOLOGY (MDS-PERIODONTOLOGY)

Introduction:

Periodontology is the speciality in dentistry which deals with the diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth. These diseases compriseof a group of inflammatory conditions of the supporting tissues of the teeth and are caused by bacterialbiofilm. Periodontal diseases are thus infectious in nature and are affected and modified by environmental, physical, social and host stresses. Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease affecting mankind.

Graduates of this programme shall be able to treat all forms of periodontal disease on a biologically rational basis. It is also expected that at the end of the training, the graduates shall have attained adequate knowledge to become team leaders and managers in their work places.

Course Objectives shall be to:

  • Train specialists who will be competent in all theoretical and practical skills pertinent to the speciality
  • Equip students with current knowledge and skills from the biomedical sciences and relate the information to diagnosis, treating and maintaining patients with advanced periodontal diseases.
  • Equip students with skills to conduct literature searches and critically evaluate published data and thus contribute to the available research knowledge in the field of dentistry by carrying out and publishing an original research project.
  • Impart enhanced practical skills with improved self-appraisal and awareness
  • Enhance the multidisciplinary approach towards the management of periodontal cases.
  • Understand the place of oral health care in the wider medical, psychological and social context.

Entry requirements:

The common regulations for Master’s Degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.

  • Candidates shall be holders of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree of the University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution approved by the Senate of the University of Nairobi. The Degree must be registrable by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
  • Candidates shall have at least two years working experience in clinical dental surgery after undergraduate training inclusive of the internship training.
  • Candidates shall be expected to sit and pass an entry examination administered by the Department.

Transfer of Credits and Course Exemptions:

Common regulations for credit transfer of the University of Nairobi shall apply. Students who wish to transfer course work credits for similar courses taken in other institutions recognized by Senate of University of Nairobi may, on recommendation of the School Board and the Board of Postgraduate studies, be allowed to transfer credits for up to one third of the total number of courses offered in the programme, provided the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • The applicant shall send a formal application seeking transfer of credit(s), through the Dean, to the Director of Board of Postgraduate studies accompanied by the prescribed fee.
  • The applicant shall have passed in the relevant course in which exemption is sought at Masters level and provide transcripts to that effect.
  • The course shall have similar content and contact hours as the one from which credit is desired. Evidence of course content and contact hours shall be attached to the application.
  • No credit transfer shall be allowed in any clinical course.

Course Structure, Duration and Mode of Delivery:

  • The master of Dental Surgery (MDS) IN Periodontology shall extend over a minimum period of three and a maximum period of six academic years of full time training.
  • The course shall be in three parts: Part I will be done in the first year, Part II in the Second year and Part II in the third year
  • The MDS course in Periodontology shall consist of course work, clinical work, practicals, research project, tutorials seminars and journal discussions. All the courses in the programme shall be compulsory.
  • The course shall aim to cover the following aspects: The scientific basis of periodontal care to other dental disciplines, diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with advanced periodontal problems, clinical treatment and management.
  • The first year shall comprise of course work, clinicalwork, preparation of research proposal for the thesis and first year examinations.
  • Third year shall comprise of course work, clinicalwork, research project report writing, examinations and defense of the thesis.

MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY IN PROSTHODONTICS (MDS PROSTHODONTICS)

Introduction:

The discipline of Prosthodontics deals with the provision and maintenance of prostheses and/or restorations of teeth to function, aesthetic harmony and comfort utilizing a variety of techniques both direct and indirect while using the appropriate dental materials.

The discipline also encompasses patients’ evaluation, diagnosis and treatment planning which includes prevention and disease control as well as the requirement of long term maintenance of restricted dentition.

In provision of dental prostheses, they are fixed to the remaining teeth or tooth analog such as implant or removable partial or complete dentures supported by teeth and soft tissues.

These prostheses replace missing teeth and associated hard tissue. They also replace soft tissue defects resulting from pathology, trauma or congenital defects. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are currently the most prevalent oral disease which manifest as partial or total loss of teeth and their supporting periodontal structures requiring one or more forms of Prosthodontics management ranging from simple to complex restorations and/or prostheses.

The purpose therefore of MDS Prosthodontics shall be to produce high caliber graduates who are capable of maintaining the practice of Prosthodontics in Scientific research and clinical practice.

Course Objectives:

  • Shall provide the MDS Prosthodontics candidates with comprehensive knowledge and skills in the practice of Prosthodontics.
  • Provide sound experience in management of patients requiring oral rehabilitation with restorations, fixed and/or removable prostheses.
  • Enhance the fortifications of the interdisciplinary management of Prosthodontics and other disciplines
  • Train the MDS Prosthodontics graduates in research skills thus enabling them to undertake independent and original research project.

Entry requirements:

  • The admission regulations of the masters degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply
  • The candidates shall be holders of the bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nairobi or its equivalent from an institution approved by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  • The applicants shall be registrable by the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Board
  • The candidates shall have at least two years working experience in clinical dentistry one of which should have been post internship.

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