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Oral Health Sciences MS

Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences

Pursue advanced study and research in the scientific field of oral health with the Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences in the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University. Students in this rigorous, 40-credit master’s program gain expertise in oral and craniofacial structures and their function in health and disease, as well as the application of modern biological principles and research techniques in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of oral and craniofacial diseases and anomalies.

Through the program, you will study the structure, development and function of oral tissues; their interrelationships; and their connections to other organ systems. Students become advanced clinical scholars through the interdisciplinary structure of the curriculum, which focuses on multiple dental and biomedical science disciplines in oral health including anatomy, microbiology, neurophysiology of pain, oral microbiomes, pharmacology, physiology and regenerative medicine, with a particular emphasis on how these areas relate to oral health and disease.

You will also gain graduate-level training and experience in contemporary laboratory techniques and research methodology and technology, which is needed to pursue careers in academia or industry. Research areas include

  • advanced general dentistry;
  • clinical fields such as endodontology, periodontics and oral implantology, orthodontics, and dental public health; 
  • oral microbiology and immunology;
  • periodontal and craniofacial regeneration; and
  • pulp biology; among many others.

The school’s humanistic approach to patient care and its location in North Philadelphia provide students in clinical tracks with a diverse patient population. Because the program offers both clinical and nonclinical tracks, those who are not enrolled in an advanced training certificate program at Kornberg can choose courses offered across all dental specialty programs and disciplines. Each track requires the same minimum of 40 credits of coursework, and all students complete a self-directed original academic research project.

Oral Health Sciences MS Tracks 

You’ll have the flexibility to complete either clinical or nonclinical training through one of the following tracks.

The Clinical Internship track is a stand-alone program for students who aren’t enrolled in an advanced training certificate program in the Kornberg School of Dentistry, but who wish to broaden their understanding of clinical dentistry. The completion of a dental degree prior to admission into the MS program is required for this track.

Clinical Internship track

Individuals who already hold a BDS, DMD or DDS degree from an international dental school not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) may consider applying to our Advanced Standing DMD program at Temple University while completing the Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences.

Clinical Internship track students will be highly considered for admission into the Advanced Standing DMD program if they meet the following requirements.

  • Completion of the program with a minimum of 3.5 GPA
  • Passed Part I and II of NBDE exam OR INBDE exam
  • Obtain an eligibility letter of good standing from the program director
  • Have a record of professional and ethical behavior aligning with the standards of the institution
  • Successfully pass both the Advanced Standing DMD interview and a bench test; conduct a favorable interview with faculty and perform competitively on a bench test and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) consistent with the institution standards
Important note

All Clinical Internship track students who completed their CAAPID application for the Advanced Standing DMD program are guaranteed an interview. Candidates must meet the minimum requirements and have a favorable review from the admissions committee to gain acceptance. An interview is not a guarantee of admission.

For more information, contact David Dams, director of Advanced Standing DMD admissions at .

The Nonclinical Internship track is a stand-alone program for students with or without a dental degree who have an interest in advanced master’s-level education in oral health sciences. This track does not include clinical courses. Applicants are not required to have previous education in dentistry for admission into this track.

Nonclinical Internship track

Students in the Nonclinical Internship track may consider applying to the four-year DMD program at Temple University.

Nonclinical Internship track students will be highly considered for admission into the DMD program if they meet the following requirements.

  • Completion of the program with a minimum of 3.5 GPA
  • Earn a competitive Dental Admission Test (DAT) score overall and in all subsections consistent with applicants admitted through the overall admissions process and be equal to or above the institutions standards
  • Obtain an eligibility letter of good standing from the program director
  • Have a record of professional and ethical behavior aligning with the standards of the institution
Important note

All Nonclinical Internship track students who completed their AADSAS application for the DMD program are guaranteed an interview. Candidates must meet the minimum requirements and have a favorable review from the admissions committee to gain acceptance. An interview is not a guarantee of admission.

For more information, contact David Dams, director of DMD admissions at .

The Clinical Specialty track is tailored for postgraduate students currently enrolled in a CODA-accredited advanced training certificate program in the Kornberg School of Dentistry. Coursework in students’ postgraduate certificate programs count toward the required 40 credits for the Oral Health Sciences MS degree.

Postbaccalaureate to Masters in Oral Health Sciences track

Students who successfully complete the coursework in the School of Dentistry Postbaccalaureate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA and two letters of reference from instructors in their program may opt to complete an additional year of coursework to earn the Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences. For students who qualify, 15 credits from the Postbaccalaureate program will be applied towards the completion of the 40-credit master’s degree. Some restrictions apply. 

Learn more about the Postbaccalaureate to Masters in Oral Health Sciences track. 

Classes & Curriculum

The 40-credit Oral Health Sciences MS curriculum is interdisciplinary, crossing traditional department boundaries of basic biomedical sciences such as anatomy, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. 

Students not enrolled in an advanced training certificate program may choose to earn the Oral Health Sciences MS degree on either a full- or part-time basis. Students enrolled in a Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited advanced training certificate program at the Kornberg School of Dentistry earn the degree on a full-time basis.

Students who are not enrolled in a specialty certificate program can choose course offerings across all dental specialty programs and disciplines in the Kornberg School of Dentistry.

All students in the Oral Health Sciences MS complete required core courses comprising 24 credits. The remaining credits are earned in the advanced training certificate program, or in the Clinical Internship or Nonclinical tracks. 

Core courses you will take during your studies include

  • Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, 
  • Introduction to Evidence-based Dentistry, 
  • Molecular Oral and Craniofacial Biology, 
  • Oral Microbiology and Immunology, and 
  • Research Methodology and Study Design. 

Learn more about Oral Health Sciences MS courses.

Related Professional Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Science offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,628.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,628.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Science offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,186.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,497.00 per credit

View the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Program Contact

Sumant Puri​ is the program director for the Oral Health Sciences MS.
Phone: 215-707-5984
Email: 

Theresa White is the director of graduate programs.
Phone: 215-707-3305
email:

Accreditation

The programs in dental education, endodontics, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, and periodontics are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and have been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements,” respectively. The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. The commission’s web address is ada.org/en/coda.

Additional Program Information