The School of Dental Sciences (SDS) is one of the five schools that constitute the College of Health Sciences (CHS). The School started from a humble beginning in 1974 as the Department of Dental Surgery, in the then Faculty of Medicine. The Department of Surgery was upgraded in 1995 to create the Faculty of Dental Sciences, Which became a School in 2005, with four Departments namely Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine/Pathology and Oral/Maxillofacial Radiology; Conservative and Prosthetic Dentistry; Peadiatric Dentistry and Orthodontics; and, Periodontology/Community & Preventive Dentistry.
School of Dental Sciences Courses Offered
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY
The course leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery shall be full time for minimum period of not less than five (5) years and maximum period of not more than ten (10) academic years.
An academic year shall be 36 weeks and each course unit shall be 45 hours.
Admission Requirements
3.1 Candidates for admission must satisfy the general University of Nairobi admission criteria of a mean grade C+ in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E). A minimum C+ Grade pass will be mandatory in each of the cluster subjects.
3.2 The cluster subjects for Bachelor of Dental Surgery in K.C.S.E are as follows:
- Biology.
- Chemistry.
- Physics or Mathematics.
- English or Kiswahili
OR
3.3 In addition to (3.2) above, eligibility for consideration for admission into the Module II Degree Program in the School of Dental Sciences shall be governed by the following admission requirements, outlined under each catchment category:
OR
3.4 Advanced level holders should have at least:-
Two principal level passes and one subsidiary in Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE), Grade 5 and above in International Baccalaureate (IB), three principal level passes in GCE or equivalent level of education in the following subjects:-
- Biology.
- Chemistry.
- Physics/Mathematics.
- General paper.
OR
3.5 Kenya Certificate of Education(KCE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a minimum ‘O’ level division II Pass or C+ mean grade in KCSE in addition to three year diploma from a Medical Training Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate in either of the following disciplines:
- Dental Technology,
- Dental Surgery Assistant,
- Dental Hygiene,
- Community Oral Health,
- Clinical Medicine,
- Laboratory Technology,
- Radiography,
- Pharmaceutical
- Technology, Nursing, or any other equivalent disciplines.
3.6 In addition applicants shall be expected to be working in the relevant field of their training at the time of application.
OR
3.7 Holders of Degrees in any of the Science subjects from the University of Nairobi or equivalent degrees from institutions recognized by Senate of the University of Nairobi.
3.8 International students from non-English speaking countries shall provide evidence of competence in English language by producing test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) certificate or its equivalent.
MASTERS PROGRAMS
MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY IN PROSTHODONTICS (MDS PROSTHODONTICS)
The discipline of Prosthodontics deals with the provision and maintenance of prostheses and/or restoration of teeth to function, aesthetic harmony and comfort utilizing a variety of techniques both direct and indirect while using the appropriate dental materials.
Admission Requirements
- The admission regulations of the Masters Degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
- The candidates shall be holders of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree from the University of Nairobi or its equivalent from an institution approved by the University of Nairobi Senate.
- The applicants shall be registrable by the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Board.
- The candidates shall have at least two years working experience in clinical dentistry one of which should have been post internship.
MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY (MDS) IN PERIODONTOLOGY
Periodontology is the speciality in dentistry which deals with the diseases of the supporting structures of the teeth. These diseases comprise a group of inflammatory conditions of the supporting tissues of the teeth and are caused by bacterial biofilm. Periodontal diseases are thus infectious in nature and are affected and modified by environmental, physical, social and host stresses. Periodontal disease is the most common oral disease affecting mankind.
Admission Requirements
The common regulations for the Master’s Degree of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
- Candidates shall be holders of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree of the University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution approved by the Senate of University of Nairobi. The degree must be registrable by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
- Candidates shall have at least two years working experience in clinical dental surgery after undergraduate training inclusive of the internship training.
Candidates shall be expected to sit and pass an entry examination administered by the Department.
MASTER OF DENTAL SURGERY (MDS.) IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
The Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) Degree in Paediatric Dentostry is essential for training specialized manpower for the country so as to improve the Paediatric Dental Specialist: patient ratio which currently stands at 1:1.5 million paediatric patients. The Department is able to provide postgraduate training for the East and Central Africa Region, as this is the first postgraduate program in Dental Science in the region.
Admission Requirements
Candidates should have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Degree of the University of Nairobi, or an equivalent qualification approved by the University of Nairobi. The degree must be registerable with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
Candidates should have at least 3 years experience in clinical dentistry of which one year shall constitute internship training and two years at Dental Hospital/Clinic.
PHD PROGRAMS
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Graduates can take up careers as dentists in public or private health institutions, oral healthcare product managers in dentally allied manufacturing companies or teaching at universities and colleges.
How to Apply to School of Dental Sciences
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The following guidelines may be useful when you apply to UON:
WHEN TO APPLY
Applications open in April every year and you should try to submit an application as soon as possible after that date.
APPLICATION FEES
An application fee must be paid for every application, except in the case of most graduates of UON. Please refer to the fee structure for more information.
SUBMITTING RESULTS AND DOCUMENTS
Current learners at school must make sure that all examination results from class 8 tp form four are submitted.
Transferring students should submit all transcripts and academic records as early as possible.
MONITOR YOUR APPLICATION
It is a good idea to monitor the status of your application. You can do this online.