Health Sciences

Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontology

The Master of Dental Surgery in Periodontology provides advanced specialist training in periodontology, the dental specialty dealing with diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth. Students learn periodontal diagnosis, periodontal therapy, dental implants, and management of periodontal diseases. The programme is designed for dental graduates seeking specialist qualifications in periodontology.

Students develop advanced competencies in periodontal diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy, dental implantology, regenerative periodontal procedures, and research. The curriculum covers periodontology theory, periodontal pathology, periodontal surgery, dental implants, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through clinical training and patient management.

Periodontology expertise is important for Kenya's oral health sector. Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease affecting mankind, requiring specialist care. Dental hospitals, clinics, and health institutions require trained periodontal specialists. Kenya's growing population and oral health awareness create demand for specialist dental services. The programme addresses the demand for advanced periodontology training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with clinical training, case discussions, and research. Students study periodontology concepts, practise clinical procedures, manage periodontal patients, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, clinical training, case discussions, and research supervision. The programme is full-time over a minimum of three and maximum of six years.

Graduates find employment as periodontal specialists in dental hospitals, specialist clinics, academic institutions, or private practice. The MDS supports careers in specialist periodontal practice, dental education, and oral health research.

This programme is ideal for dental graduates seeking specialist qualifications in periodontology. The programme provides advanced clinical and research skills for specialist periodontal practice and academic dentistry.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 382,000
Private, up to: Ksh 0
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Periodontology Theory
Periodontal Pathology
Periodontal Diagnosis and Assessment
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal Surgery
Dental Implantology
Regenerative Periodontal Procedures
Research Methods
Oral Biology and Microbiology
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Periodontology Theory and Pathology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Periodontology theory covering periodontal anatomy, periodontal pathology, periodontal disease classification, aetiology, and the biology of periodontal tissues.
Periodontal Diagnosis and Assessment
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Periodontal diagnosis covering clinical examination, radiographic assessment, periodontal probing, risk assessment, and treatment planning for periodontal patients.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Non-surgical periodontal therapy covering scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instruction, chemical plaque control, and re-evaluation of periodontal treatment.
Research Methods and Oral Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, clinical research, and oral biology covering oral microbiology, immunology, and the biology of periodontal tissues.
Periodontal Surgery
Year 2Semester 15 creditsCore
Periodontal surgery covering flap surgery, regenerative procedures, mucogingival surgery, periodontal plastic surgery, and post-surgical care.
Dental Implantology
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Dental implantology covering implant diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical placement, prosthetic restoration, and management of implant complications.
Advanced Periodontal Therapy and Multidisciplinary Care
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Advanced periodontal therapy covering complex case management, multidisciplinary treatment, and the relationship between periodontics and other dental specialties.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 3Semester 18 creditsCore
A research thesis on a periodontology topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to periodontal knowledge through original research.

Specialisations

Periodontal Surgery
Focus on periodontal surgical procedures including flap surgery, regenerative procedures, and mucogingival surgery.
Dental Implantology
Focus on dental implant diagnosis, surgical placement, prosthetic restoration, and implant complications management.
Regenerative Periodontics
Focus on regenerative periodontal procedures including bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and periodontal regeneration techniques.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on periodontology theory with afternoon clinical training treating periodontal patients. Students study periodontal pathology, practise clinical procedures including scaling, root planing, and periodontal surgery, manage dental implant cases, and conduct research. Clinical training involves patient assessment, treatment planning, and performing periodontal procedures under specialist supervision. The programme emphasises clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and research competence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Periodontology is a well-recognised dental specialty with strong career prospects in specialist practice.
Offered at UoN, Kenya's premier dental school with comprehensive fee structure published.
Includes dental implantology training, a high-demand skill in modern dentistry.

Against it

The programme is full-time only over 3 years, requiring significant time commitment.
Total programme cost of KES 1,076,000 is substantial.
The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public332k to 382k

332k at University of Nairobi (Year 2)382k at University of Nairobi (Year 1)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN Y1 382K, Y2 332K, Y3 362K/yr (dental.uonbi.ac.ke). No private provider.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. UoN may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students. Dental professional associations may offer specialist training grants.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree or equivalent from a CUE-recognised institution. Registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Relevant clinical experience may be required.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination30% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and clinical assessments evaluating theoretical knowledge of periodontology.
Clinical Training and Case Presentations
Practical40% of the mark
Clinical training assessments, case presentations, and clinical competency evaluations assessing periodontal clinical skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in periodontology, defended before an examination panel.

Accreditation

University of Nairobi is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MDS programme is accredited by CUE and regulated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
UoN is chartered by CUE. MDS programme accredited by CUE and regulated by KMPDC.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
ProfessionalRequired
Dental specialists must be registered with KMPDC to practise in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Periodontal Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Practises as a periodontal specialist in dental hospitals, specialist clinics, or private practice, diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases and placing dental implants.
Dental Educator
Low demand
Teaches periodontology and dental sciences in dental schools, training future dentists and conducting periodontal research.
Dental Implant Specialist
Moderate demand
Specialises in dental implant placement and restoration in specialist practice, providing implant treatment for patients with missing teeth.
Dental Hospital Consultant
Low demand
Serves as a periodontal consultant in dental hospitals, providing specialist periodontal care and managing complex periodontal cases.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as periodontal specialists in dental hospitals, specialist clinics, and academic institutions, with opportunities for private specialist practice and dental education.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Periodontology is just about cleaning teeth.
Periodontology is a dental specialty covering periodontal disease diagnosis, surgical and non-surgical therapy, dental implants, and regenerative procedures.
Periodontal treatment is not important.
Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease and is linked to systemic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Dental implants don't require specialist training.
Dental implant placement requires specialist training in periodontology or oral surgery, including assessment, surgical placement, and management of complications.
An MDS is only for academic dentistry.
The MDS prepares graduates for both specialist clinical practice and academic dentistry, with most graduates entering specialist practice.