Master of Dentistry

The Master of Dentistry (MDent) is a one year full-time, or two year part-time taught master's programme which enhances dental practitioners' clinical skills and research base, but does not lead to specialist registration. It is offered in two fields: with an endorsement in Aesthetic Dentistry or an endorsement in Rural Oral Health Care.

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall hold the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery of the University of Otago or another equivalent dental qualification approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), and be a registered dental practitioner in their country of practice or residence.
Applicants must have achieved a minimum grade point average of B over the 400- and 500-level papers of the qualifying degree and will normally be expected to have had relevant clinical experience of at least three years' duration and/or have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry before admission to the programme.
Admission to each endorsement is limited to a maximum of six candidates annually.

English language requirements

• IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
• TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
• C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) or C2 Proficiency (previously Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169).
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.
• Language Cert - International ESOL: C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery (LRWS) with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill.
• NZCEL - NZCEL 5 Academic endorsement
• English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
• APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher.

Applications for the MDent endorsed in Aesthetic Dentistry close on 31 May of the year prior to study.