University of Sharjah

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced clinical training, didactic coursework and a research component to prepare specialists in paediatric dentistry. Students undertake supervised clinical practice treating a broad range of paediatric patients, from routine preventive care to complex behaviour management and treatment under sedation or general anaesthesia.

• Core clinical modules: Comprehensive Paediatric Dentistry clinics, Behaviour Management and Communication with Children, Dental Traumatology, Management of Developmental and Congenital Anomalies, Special Care Dentistry for Children.
• Advanced treatment modules: Restorative Procedures for Primary and Young Permanent Teeth, Pulp Therapy and Endodontics in Children, Paediatric Prosthodontics and Space Management, Advanced Extraction Techniques and Oral Surgery in Paediatric Patients.
• Supportive clinical modules: Paediatric Radiology, Preventive Dentistry and Oral Health Promotion, Sedation and Anaesthesia for Paediatric Dental Procedures, Infection Control and Patient Safety.
• Academic and research modules: Research Methods and Biostatistics, Evidence-Based Paediatric Dentistry, Clinical Audit, and a supervised Master’s research project or thesis focused on an area of paediatric oral health.
• Interdisciplinary learning: Collaborative learning with orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, paediatric medicine and speech and language therapy where relevant to comprehensive child care.

Programme structure is typically sequential, with early semesters emphasising coursework and supervised clinical exposure, progressing to higher responsibility in complex case management and completion of a research project. Clinical competencies are assessed through case logs, observed structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), supervisor assessments and the thesis examination.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised primary dental qualification (such as BDS, DDS or equivalent) and a valid licence to practise dentistry in their home country or the UAE where required. Typical entry requirements include:

• A relevant bachelor-level dental degree from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrable clinical experience in general dentistry; many successful applicants have one or more years of post-graduate clinical practice.
• Evidence of satisfactory academic performance during the undergraduate degree (a minimum GPA or class of degree as specified by the faculty).
• Letters of recommendation from academic or clinical supervisors, and a personal statement outlining clinical aspirations and research interests.
• Selection interview and practical/clinical assessment to evaluate clinical skills, communication and suitability for specialist training.
• Proficiency in English demonstrated by recognised tests or prior instruction in English, if the applicant’s previous education was not in English, and fulfilment of any UAE visa or licensing requirements for clinical trainees.

Applicants may be required to satisfy additional regulatory or health checks before commencing clinical duties, including immunisation and background checks.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MDS in Pediatric Dentistry are qualified to practise as specialist paediatric dentists in a variety of settings. Typical career pathways include:

• Specialist clinical practice in public hospitals, community dental services and private clinics focused on children and adolescents.
• Positions within university dental schools and teaching hospitals as clinical instructors or faculty, combining patient care with teaching and supervision of dental students and residents.
• Roles in hospital-based multidisciplinary teams managing medically complex or special-needs children, including work with paediatric medicine and anaesthesia departments.
• Opportunities in public health and community dentistry, leading oral health promotion, prevention programmes and policy initiatives for child populations.
• Research and academic careers pursuing postgraduate research, clinical trials, or academic scholarship in paediatric oral health and behaviour management.

Why study at University of Sharjah

The University of Sharjah’s College of Dentistry offers specialist training within a teaching environment that integrates clinical service, education and research. Trainees benefit from supervised access to a diverse paediatric patient population drawn from the emirate and wider region, permitting exposure to a wide range of clinical conditions and treatment needs.

The college provides purpose-built clinical facilities, simulation and pre-clinical laboratories, and close collaboration with allied disciplines such as paediatrics, anaesthesia and speech therapy to support multidisciplinary care. Faculty members include experienced specialists actively involved in clinical practice and research, providing mentorship for both clinical skill development and research projects. The programme’s clinical focus and academic components aim to prepare graduates for leadership roles in specialist practice, education and community oral health initiatives.