Master of Science in Pediatric Dentistry
About This Programme
Pediatric dentistry is the practice, teaching and research of comprehensive therapeutic oral health care for children from birth through adolescence, including children with intellectual, medical, physical, psychological or emotional problems. MBRU's Master of Science in Pediatric Dentistry at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine is a three-year, full-time programme that combines advanced academic, clinical and research training with patient care, and includes clinical training at the level of a specialist trainee. Students are closely supervised while developing skills in diagnosis, radiographic technique, treatment planning, preventive and restorative dentistry, space management, trauma management, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic behaviour management, and the care of children with special healthcare needs. Clinical work takes place in the clinics of the Dental Hospital, and treatment under general anaesthesia is carried out at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital. The programme includes a two-week rotation in pediatric medicine and a four-week anaesthesiology rotation, and simulation training at the Khalaf Al Habtoor Simulation Center covers general anaesthesia and the management of common pediatric emergencies. Every student completes a research dissertation with an oral defence before internal and external examiners. MBRU describes the programme as appropriate preparation for the Emirati Board and the Membership Examinations of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons UK, and two final consolidation courses prepare students for the UK Membership Examination in Pediatric Dentistry.
Course Highlights
- Three-year, full-time MSc with clinical training at the level of a specialist trainee
- 77 credit hours of specialty clinical training, pediatric dentistry theory, weekly literature seminars, shared dental science courses and a research dissertation
- Treatment under general anaesthesia at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital
- Rotations in pediatric medicine (two weeks) and anaesthesiology (four weeks)
- Prepares students for the Emirati Board and the UK Membership Examinations
What You'll Study
The MSc runs full time over three years and six semesters and requires 77 credit hours, with a minimum cGPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of C in every course. Alongside specialty clinical training, every semester includes specialty courses and a scientific literature course, and every semester from the second includes the research dissertation, while common courses in applied basic sciences, research methodology, clinical governance, oral epidemiology, radiology and molecular biology run across the college's programmes. Teaching combines lectures, small-group tutorials, clinical case-based discussions and student-led critical appraisal of the literature, and many courses use a flipped classroom approach.
Year 1, Semester 1
Specialty Clinical Training is a continuing course: it runs across both semesters of the year and is graded at the end of Semester 2.
- PD441 Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry1 credit
- CC503 Clinical Governance, Legislation and Ethics1 credit
- PD442 Restorative Techniques1 credit
- CC510 Applied Basic Sciences I2 credits
- PD421 Scientific Literature1 credit
- CC502 Research Methodology and Biostatistics2 credits
- PD437 Specialty Clinical Training3.5 credits
- OR643 Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Planning1 credit
Year 1, Semester 2
- PD448 Prevention of Oral Disease1 credit
- PD422 Scientific Literature1 credit
- PD446 Behavioral Science and Management1 credit
- PD437 Specialty Clinical Training6.3 credits
- PD412 Research Dissertation1 credit
- CC511 Applied Basic Sciences II1 credit
- CC508 Oral Epidemiology1 credit
- CC509 Radiology and Imaging1 credit
Year 2, Semester 1
Specialty Clinical Training is a continuing course: it runs across both semesters of the year and is graded at the end of Semester 2.
- PD413 Research Dissertation1 credit
- PD445 General Pediatrics1 credit
- PD423 Scientific Literature1 credit
- PD438 Specialty Clinical Training8 credits
- PD450 Basic Sciences in Pediatric Dentistry1 credit
- PD443 Pediatric Oral Pathology and Medicine1 credit
Year 2, Semester 2
- PD451 Dental Traumatology1 credit
- PD444 Orthodontics for the Pediatric Dentists1 credit
- PD414 Research Dissertation2 credits
- PD424 Scientific Literature1 credit
- PD438 Specialty Clinical Training7.6 credits
- CC504 Molecular Biology1 credit
Year 3, Semester 1
Specialty Clinical Training is a continuing course: it runs across both semesters of the year and is graded at the end of Semester 2.
- PD415 Research Dissertation2 credits
- PD454 Consolidation of Pediatric Dentistry Training 11 credit
- PD425 Scientific Literature1 credit
- PD439 Specialty Clinical Training8 credits
Year 3, Semester 2
- PD416 Research Dissertation3 credits
- PD426 Scientific Literature1 credit
- PD455 Consolidation of Pediatric Dentistry Training 21 credit
- PD439 Specialty Clinical Training7.6 credits
What You'll Learn
Knowledge and understanding
- Comprehensive mastery of techniques for the specialist practice of pediatric dentistry, including prevention, early diagnosis and management of oral disease in children, dental traumatology, and the recognition and management of child maltreatment
- A systematic, high-level appraisal of the oral and systemic conditions essential to specialist practice
- High-level application of scientific knowledge, with a practical grasp of established research techniques and their interpretation in pediatric dentistry
Intellectual and practical skills
- Critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship and use it in evidence-based practice
- Provide specialist-level primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs, using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic behaviour management techniques
- Work within multidisciplinary dental and medical teams to manage pediatric patients
- Provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for pediatric patients with special healthcare needs and medical conditions, addressing both their oral and medical needs
- Communicate at a professional level with child patients, their guardians and other healthcare providers
- Be prepared for future roles in clinical research, with the critical and inquiring attitude needed to advance practice, research and teaching in pediatric dentistry
Attitudes
- Maintain a high ethical standard and work in harmony with peers, support staff and faculty, with a view to becoming a team leader
- Value knowledge sharing, self-development, lifelong learning and research in the evidence-based practice of pediatric dentistry
- Establish practice management skills and accountability for critical decisions and governance
- Manage and work within the context of a healthcare system
Entry Requirements
Shortlisted applicants are invited to the programme interview and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as applicable, and may also have a practical hands-on assessment. Applicants whose degree was awarded outside the UAE need an Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) General with Grade Average evaluation. Dubai Health employees must also submit a letter of support from the Chair of Oral Health, specific to the specialty. MBRU describes additional qualifications, such as the MFDS from one of the UK Royal Colleges or another postgraduate dental degree, as desirable.
Careers
The college's master's programmes are designed to prepare dentists for a career at specialist level. MBRU states that all of them satisfy the eligibility criteria to sit the specialty membership examinations of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI). It also states that graduates of this programme are eligible to sit the Emirati Board examination.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Commission for Academic Accreditation, whose register lists the degree as Active; MBRU's catalog dates the accreditation to December 2012. The catalog also states that the programme is accredited by the National Institutes of Health Specialties (NIHS).
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MSc) in Pediatric Dentistry
Start Date
August (2026-27 classes started on 30 August 2026)
Typical Offer
Dentistry degree (BDS, DDS or DMD) with a cGPA of 3.00, a one-year internship and an EDREE or SDLE pass
Duration
3 years, full time
Qualification
MSc
Subject Area
Health Sciences
Campus
Dubai Healthcare City
Study Pattern
Full-time
Tuition Fee
AED 185,000/yr
Applications open on 12 October 2026 and close on 25 January 2027, which is also the deadline for English test results. MBRU's timeline then sets 15 February 2027 for interview notifications, 24 to 28 February 2027 for interviews and MMI, and 31 March 2027 for admission offers. Annual tuition is AED 185,000 for international applicants and AED 160,000 for UAE and GCC nationals. The application fee is AED 1,000 plus AED 50 VAT, and the non-refundable AED 10,000 seat reservation fee is deducted from the first-semester instalment for students who enrol. The needs-based Jood Scholarship offers up to 50% of annual tuition to UAE students, but only to continuing dental students with a monthly income below AED 20,000 and an annual GPA above the minimum for progression. MBRU states that its postgraduate dental students are not eligible for stipends.