Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Sciences program is an intensive, full-time program with a minimum duration of three years and maximum of 5 years. It comprises a series of compulsory and elective courses followed by a period of full-time research.

Degree Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Sciences degree requires completion of at least 24 credit hours of advanced courses. The degree is awarded in recognition of a candidate's command of a broad field of knowledge and accomplishment in the chosen research project through an original contribution of meaningful knowledge and ideas.

Program Structure

• The program plan contains core courses equivalent to 12 credit hours in:
  • Dental Biomaterials (3 Cr.)
  • Oral and Craniofacial Biology (3 Cr.)
  • Oral Theranostics (3 Cr.)
  • Literature Review (1 Cr.)
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2 Cr.)
• Elective courses focus on basic science areas, such as:
  • Materials Science, Synthesis and Characterization (3 Cr.)
  • Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Dentistry (3 Cr.)
  • Molecular Methods in Cell Biology (3 Cr.)
  • Diagnostic Methods in Oral Pathology (3 Cr.)
  • Oral Microbiology and Immunology (3 Cr.)
  • Ethics, Professionalism and Scientific Writing (3 Cr.)
  • Applied Biostatistics (3 Cr.)
  • Health Economics (3 Cr.)
  • Mixed Methods Research Design (3 Cr.)
  • Contemporary Learning and Teaching in Health Professions Education (3 Cr.)
• Remedial courses for non-dental students:
  • Dental Health Science (3 Cr.)
  • Human Biology (3 Cr.)

Course Descriptions

Compulsory Courses

• Dental Biomaterials: Provides a thorough overview of the scientific foundations and applications of numerous types of materials in dentistry.
• Oral and Craniofacial Biology: Covers topics related to embryology of head and neck, odontogenesis, hard tissue biogenesis and regeneration, periodontium biology, saliva secretion and metabolism, TMJ regeneration, and aging impact on different oral tissues.
• Oral Theranostics: Designed to provide an overview of the latest advancements in Oral Theranostics and its practical applications in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical management of oral diseases.
• Literature Review: Prepares students to write the literature review of their research project.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Critically reviews research in the field of entrepreneurship addressing the fundamental issues and how to practically apply the theory/concepts towards creating innovative new ventures.

Elective Courses

• Contemporary Learning and Teaching in Health Professions Education: Explores contemporary modes of delivery that can be very effective, such as problem-based learning, team-based learning, case-based learning, and computer-enhanced blended learning.
• Materials Science, Synthesis and Characterization: Provides comprehensive advanced knowledge on scientific basics as well as advanced principles of dental materials science, materials properties, and how chemistry affects the properties and final clinical applications.
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Dentistry: Employs the principles of materials science, engineering, biology, genetics, immunology, and other novel technologies to repair or restore damaged tissues or organs.
• Molecular Methods in Cell Biology: Provides an advanced cell and molecular biology course focusing on the principles and applications of advanced molecular methods used in cell biology, genetics, regenerative medicine/dentistry.
• Diagnostic Methods in Oral Pathology: Aims to give a critical, systematic understanding of oral pathological conditions that require diagnosis by histopathological methods.
• Ethics, Professionalism and Scientific Writing: Explores the relationship between tooth movement and orthopedic jaw movement and the nature of the associated physiological events.
• Oral Microbiology and Immunology: Covers the fundamental aspects of oral microbiology and immunology, including the ecology, diversity, metabolism, and pathogenesis of oral microorganisms.
• Applied Biostatistics: Provides the fundamentals of biostatistics data analysis, focusing on concepts of biostatistics and reasoning, and provides a survey of data and data types.
• Health Economics: Introduces the field of health economics, discussing topics such as measurement and determinants of health, health disparities, and unhealthy behaviors.
• Mixed Methods Research Design: Introduces the use of mixed methods in public health research, exploring methodological issues involved in conducting mixed methods research.

University Requirements

• The student must hold a master's degree with a minimum grade of "Very Good" (3.0 out of 4.0) and a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade of 2.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent.
• The Bachelor's and Master's degrees must be in a major that allows the student to pursue a doctorate graduate program.
• Meeting the TOEFL condition is required.

Career Path

The Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Sciences program aims to train outstanding students and clinicians to embark on dental research, generating new discoveries through cutting-edge scientific methodologies and meeting the challenges in solving tomorrow's oral health problems. Suitable candidates will be trained to embark on a career in academia or research.