Health Sciences

Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics

The Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics provides advanced specialist training in prosthodontics, the dental specialty dealing with the restoration and replacement of teeth. Students learn prosthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, fixed and removable prostheses, dental materials, and oral rehabilitation. The programme is designed for dental graduates seeking specialist qualifications in prosthodontics.

Students develop advanced competencies in prosthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics, dental implants, occlusion, and oral rehabilitation. The curriculum covers prosthodontics theory, dental materials, fixed and removable prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through clinical training and patient management.

Prosthodontics expertise is important for Kenya's oral health sector. Tooth loss and dental defects require specialist prosthodontic care for restoration. Dental hospitals, clinics, and health institutions require trained prosthodontic specialists. Kenya's growing population and oral health awareness create demand for specialist dental services. The programme addresses the demand for advanced prosthodontics training.

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

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

This programme is ideal for dental graduates seeking specialist qualifications in prosthodontics. The programme provides advanced clinical and research skills for specialist prosthodontic 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

Prosthodontics Theory
Dental Materials
Fixed Prosthodontics
Removable Prosthodontics
Implant Prosthodontics
Occlusion and Temporomandibular Disorders
Oral Rehabilitation
Research Methods
Dental Biomaterials
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Prosthodontics Theory and Dental Materials
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Prosthodontics theory covering prosthodontic principles, treatment planning, and dental materials covering properties, selection, and handling of dental biomaterials.
Fixed Prosthodontics
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Fixed prosthodontics covering crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, onlays, tooth preparation, impression techniques, and cementation of fixed restorations.
Removable Prosthodontics
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Removable prosthodontics covering complete dentures, partial dentures, denture design, fabrication, and management of removable prosthesis patients.
Research Methods and Oral Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, clinical research, and oral biology covering the biology of oral tissues relevant to prosthodontic treatment.
Implant Prosthodontics
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Implant prosthodontics covering implant assessment, treatment planning, surgical placement, prosthetic restoration, and management of implant complications.
Occlusion and Temporomandibular Disorders
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Occlusion covering occlusal principles, occlusal analysis, adjustment, and temporomandibular joint disorders covering diagnosis and management.
Advanced Oral Rehabilitation
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Advanced oral rehabilitation covering full-mouth rehabilitation, interdisciplinary treatment, complex case management, and combining fixed, removable, and implant prostheses.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 3Semester 18 creditsCore
A research thesis on a prosthodontics topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to prosthodontic knowledge through original research.

Specialisations

Fixed Prosthodontics
Focus on crowns, bridges, veneers, and fixed restorations including tooth preparation and cementation techniques.
Implant Prosthodontics
Focus on implant assessment, treatment planning, surgical placement, and prosthetic restoration of dental implants.
Removable Prosthodontics
Focus on complete and partial dentures, denture design, fabrication, and management of removable prosthesis patients.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on prosthodontic theory with afternoon clinical training and laboratory work. Students study dental materials, practise crown and bridge procedures, fabricate dentures, manage implant cases, and conduct research. Clinical training involves patient assessment, treatment planning, and performing prosthodontic procedures under specialist supervision. Laboratory sessions involve fabricating prostheses and working with dental materials. The programme emphasises clinical excellence, technical skill, and research competence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Prosthodontics 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 implant prosthodontics 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 prosthodontics.
Clinical and Laboratory Training
Practical40% of the mark
Clinical training assessments, laboratory work evaluations, case presentations, and clinical competency assessments.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in prosthodontics, 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

Prosthodontic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Practises as a prosthodontic specialist in dental hospitals, specialist clinics, or private practice, restoring teeth and managing complex oral rehabilitation cases.
Dental Educator
Low demand
Teaches prosthodontics and dental sciences in dental schools, training future dentists and conducting prosthodontic research.
Implant Prosthodontist
Moderate demand
Specialises in implant prosthodontics in specialist practice, providing implant-based restoration for patients with missing teeth.
Dental Hospital Consultant
Low demand
Serves as a prosthodontic consultant in dental hospitals, providing specialist prosthodontic care and managing complex rehabilitation cases.

Graduate outcomes

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

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Prosthodontics is just about making dentures.
Prosthodontics covers fixed and removable prostheses, dental implants, crowns, bridges, occlusion management, and full oral rehabilitation, not just dentures.
Prosthodontic treatment is purely cosmetic.
Prosthodontic treatment restores oral function, chewing, speech, and facial aesthetics, and is essential for patients with tooth loss or dental defects.
Dental implants don't need specialist training.
Implant prosthodontics requires specialist training in assessment, treatment planning, surgical placement, and prosthetic restoration of implants.
Prosthodontics is becoming obsolete with better prevention.
Prosthodontics remains essential as tooth loss persists due to trauma, disease, ageing, and congenital conditions, with growing demand for implant-based rehabilitation.