Program Overview

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Master of Dental Public and Primary Health

About the course

The Master of Dental Public and Primary Health has been designed for those who would like to pursue a career in dental public and primary health. It fosters the development of critical analysis and research competence, along with the advanced set of knowledge and skills in dental public health that is required to specialise in this field. During the course, you will enrol into subjects such as oral health care provision and promotion, research methods in dental health, management of oral health services and epidemiology. This will enable you to build on skills from your previous studies or enhance your skills in your current employment.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 93530
• CRICOS code: E
• Full time/part time duration: 2 years

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Core

• Take all units (48 points):
  • DENT5600 Principles of Dental Public Health (6)
  • DENT5626 Oral Health Care Provision (6)
  • DENT5627 Oral Health Promotion (6)
  • DENT5628 Management and Financing of Oral Health Services (6)
  • DENT5629 Research Methods in Dental Public and Primary Health (6)
  • DENT5630 Dental Epidemiology (6)
  • PUBH4403 Epidemiology I (6)
  • PUBH5752 Health Systems and Economics (6)

Option

• Take unit(s) to the value of 48 points:
  • DENT5639 Dissertation (full-time) (48)
  • DENT5641 Dissertation (part-time) (48)

Top reasons to study Dental Public and Primary Health at UWA

1. Opportunity for allied oral health professionals (oral health therapists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists) to gain postgraduate qualifications for career advancement
2. Become a key decision-maker in designing oral health measures and programs
3. Develop skills to foster social justice and improve dental care access.
4. Students have the opportunity to go on to international roles in managing and advising organisations on the delivery of oral health programmes.
5. This course also serves as preparation for a career in dental public health research.

You'll learn to

• Develop policies and diagnose and investigate community oral health needs, epidemiological issues, and hazards
• Plan, implement, and evaluate oral health promotion measures and programs for communities
• Evaluate the accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of population-based oral health services
• Critically assess preventive technologies for adoption in oral health programs and research innovative solutions for dental health problems
• Promote social justice, enhance dental care access, and apply professional and ethical standards in oral health services
• Perform critical evaluations of scientific literature and prepare detailed scientific reports.

Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

This degree is designed for dental professionals interested in a career in dental public health, health promotion, oral health research, health management or further study (including a higher degree by research) by seeking to familiarise themselves with recent developments in the field or to enhance their intellectual and research skills.

Career Opportunities

Potential career opportunities include:

• Allied health professional
• Public health officer
• Dentist
• Oral health therapist
• Dental hygienist

Further Study

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

Full-Fee Paying Place $26,000.00

For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL).

Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$49,000.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a)(i) a Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or an equivalent qualification that allows dentistry practise, as recognised by UWA; and

(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or

(b)(i) a Bachelor of Health Science in Dental Health, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and

(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.