Doctoral in Medical and Dental Specialties

Overview of the field
A doctoral of Medical and Dental Specialties is undertaken after a Master’s degree enables students to possibly undertake advanced level jobs in labs, hospitals, clinics and private practice.

Structure and duration of the degree program
A doctor of Medical and Dental Specialties may take around three to six years to complete, though may also take less or longer. The structure of the program incorporates theory as well as practical knowledge. While the initial stages of the program focus on coursework, the later ones are mainly dedicated to research and practical experience.

Highlights of the coursework
The coursework for the doctoral of Medical and Dental Specialties includes oral biology, dental materials, Endontics, dental public health, preventive dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and prosthodontics. For the dissertation, the student might choose more than one sub-field depending on the area of dentistry in which the research is being undertaken.

Admission criteria and graduation requirements
To get admission into a Doctoral program of Medical and Dental Specialties you need at least a bachelor's degree in a Medicine-related field, preferably Dentistry. Those who have a Master’s degree and already have practical experience in the field have better chances of being accepted into the doctoral program. Students who have completed the dissertation and completed their practical requirements are awarded the degree.

Careers prospects and average salary
Dentistry is one of the most popular branches of medicine. A doctoral degree in dental specialties may also be more costly than some fields. After a doctoral degree, you can also set up your private practice or work in public and private clinics. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dentists, including all other specialists, earned a median annual wage of $170,110 in May 2014.