Diploma in Tropical Dentistry & Oral Health Catalogue

Tropical dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on the oral health needs of people living in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. These areas are often characterized by high levels of poverty, limited access to healthcare, and high rates of oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Programme Description

This is a 3 months (12 weeks) online diploma programme designed for Dental Health Care Professionals (DHCP) who desire to acquire the knowledge and skills that are necessary for effective dental and oral health practice in tropical and subtropical contexts.

Programme Objectives

To educate learners on the principles and practice of dentistry and oral health in the tropics
To produce graduates who would respond to the numerous dental and oral health challenges in tropical contexts
To equip learners for future professional development, self-actualization, and practice management in the tropics
To educate learners on the ability to cooperate with individuals, teams or groups and specialists in tropical practice and appropriate referrals

Teaching Target

The teaching target of the Diploma in Tropical Dentistry and Oral Health (DTDOH) programme is to help learners to grasp the basic knowledge and skills needed to master effective dental and oral health practice in tropical contexts.

Specialisations

1. Tropical Dental Research (DTDOH-TDR)

2. Tropical Dental Ecology (DTDOH-TDE)

Courses

Tropical Dental Research (DTDOH-TDR)

CODE	USCH	TITLE
PD4-611	3	Foundations of Tropical Dentistry & Oral Health
PC3-012	3	Oral Health Systems, Law & Policy
PD4-612	2	Epidemiology of Tropical Oral Problems
PC3-014	3	Social and Behavioural Sciences in Oral Health
PC3-015	4	Oral Health Promotion, Communication, and Artificial Intelligence
PD4-613	1	Introduction to Tropical Dental Research
PD4-614	2	Research Methodology in Dental Studies
PD4-615	2	Clinical Research in Tropical Dentistry
PD4-616	2	Research Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
PD4-617	1	Data Analysis and Interpretation
PD4-618	1	Funding and Grant Writing for Dental Research
PD4-619	6	DTDOH-TDR Capstone (Practicum/Field Work, Publication, and Seminar)

Other components of the DTDOH-TDR curriculum
RL00	0	GRIT
RL01	0	Developing your personal career strategy
WBN01	0	We are the Future
WBN02	0	Advocacy in Health Care
WBN04	0	Designing and Developing Healthcare Facilities & Programmes
WBN07	0	Stress and our Health and Illness States
WBN08	0	Behavioural Dimensions in the Concept of Health
WBN09	0	Nutritional Factors in Health and Illness States
WBN10	0	Public Health Informatics
WBN11	0	Communication in Health Education Programmes
WBN12	0	Anxiety Disorders
WBN13	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: History Taking
WBN14	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: Routine Physical Examination
WBN15	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: Choosing & Ordering Investigations
WBN16	0	Working in Resource-Limited Settings

Total credits: 30 USCH (60 ECTS). Note: USCH = United States Credit Hours and ECTS = European Credit Transfer System.

Tropical Dental Ecology (DTDOH-TDE)

CODE	USCH	TITLE
PD4-611	3	Foundations of Tropical Dentistry & Oral Health
PC3-012	3	Oral Health Systems, Law & Policy
PD4-612	2	Epidemiology of Tropical Oral Problems
PC3-014	3	Social and Behavioural Sciences in Oral Health
PC3-015	4	Oral Health Promotion, Communication, and Artificial Intelligence
PD4-620	1	Introduction to Tropical Dental Ecology
PD4-621	3	Ecosystems and Oral Health
PD4-622	2	Indigenous and Traditional Practices
PD4-623	2	Climate Change and Oral Health
PD4-624	1	Research Methods in Dental Ecology
PD4-625	6	DTDOH-TDE Capstone (Practicum/Field Work, Publication, and Seminar)

Other components of the DTDOH-TDE curriculum
RL00	0	GRIT
RL01	0	Developing your personal career strategy
WBN01	0	We are the Future
WBN02	0	Advocacy in Health Care
WBN04	0	Designing and Developing Healthcare Facilities & Programmes
WBN07	0	Stress and our Health and Illness States
WBN08	0	Behavioural Dimensions in the Concept of Health
WBN09	0	Nutritional Factors in Health and Illness States
WBN10	0	Public Health Informatics
WBN11	0	Communication in Health Education Programmes
WBN12	0	Anxiety Disorders
WBN13	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: History Taking
WBN14	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: Routine Physical Examination
WBN15	0	Diagnosis of Oral Disease: Choosing & Ordering Investigations
WBN16	0	Working in Resource-Limited Settings

Total credits: 30 USCH (60 ECTS). Note: USCH = United States Credit Hours and ECTS = European Credit Transfer System.

How we teach these courses and modules

This programe is taught and assessed entirely (100%) online.

We utilise the Flipped Classroom Model of Instruction, using the best available, cost-effective media (WhatsApp, Telegram, & YouTube).

We assign pre-recorded lecture audios and videos and other resources as homework to be watched or engaged before class.
Students make their own notes or jot down major points and may also consult materials outside of school resources for better understanding of lessons and to enrich their notes/jottings.
We spend classroom time on valuable activities like review of lecture and/or other resources, discussions, Q & A, real-life applications, and projects.
For each course, live interactive sessions hold as scheduled in the Programme’s Roadmap. Each session runs for about 45 minutes to 1 hour
There are regular (weekly) academic webinars that support learning and career/business development.
The capstone (practicum/field work) summarises the overall achievement in the programme.
Faculty-Student Forum (WhatsApp and Telegram) goes from 10 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday

Enrolment Fee

The Gambia: D31,060 (GMD)
Nigeria: N401,115 (NGN)
Other countries: $500 (USD)

Requirements for this programm

1. Interest in tropical dentistry and oral health

2. Possession of a relevant degree or its equivalent recognised by the school’s Oversight and Academic Board (OAB)

3. Ability to communicate effectively in the English Language

4. Payment of the Admission Processing Fee

The Gambia: D600 (GMD)
Nigeria: N7,150 (NGN)
Other countries: $10 (USD)

Click here to enrol now

Prospects after Taking this Programme

After taking this course, a learner should be able to

Manifest tropical dental/oral health knowledge and skills
Land a new job or promotion, or enhance their CV
Possess sharpened skills
Attract a salary raise
Start an entity to improve access to care or improve the revenue generation, organization, and operations of an existing entity
Enhance the operations of their own entity/organization or their present work place
Use their knowledge and skills to manage any health facility or project in tropical or subtropical settings
Help society better or give back to society