Dental and Oral Health Research (MPhil/PhD)

Conduct innovative research in dental and oral health that improves care, education, and patient outcomes.

 

 

Key information

PhD

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Fees (UK / Overseas): Annual tuition fees apply and vary by student status and study mode.
See fees and funding

Start date: April 2026 / October 2026 / February 2027

Other research degree routes

MPhil:

A shorter research degree, often a pathway to PhD

PhD by Publication:

For researchers with an existing body of published work

 

 

Course summary

  • Undertake independent, original research in Dental and Oral Health, addressing prevention, treatment and patient care across diverse populations.
  • Investigate how clinicians promote oral health and manage disease in patients with varying needs and backgrounds.
  • Contribute to our research addressing the growing demand for more complex dental treatment and maintenance among an ageing population, by helping to both develop new operative and learning tools for dentistry 鈥 such as the use of Teledentistry in dental education.
  • Join an internationally recognised research environment, with 100% of research rated outstanding or very considerable impact (REF 2021).
  • Contribute to research developing new restorative materials using advanced 3D printing and evaluating their performance in the oral environment.

 

 

Find a supervisor

Christos Louca Portrait

Professor Chris Louca

Director of the 海角视频 Dental Academy

Chris.Louca@port.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Carolina Angelica Machuca Vargas Portrait

Dr Carolina Machuca Vargas

Associate Head (Research and Innovation)

Carolina.Machuca-Vargas@port.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor

Read more
Mahdi Amen Mohamed Mutahar Portrait

Dr Mahdi Mutahar

Senior Lecturer

Mahdi.Mutahar@port.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor

Read more

 

 

Why choose Dental and oral health at 海角视频 for research?

Focus on real-world healthcare challenges

Research solutions to growing demand for complex dental treatment, particularly within ageing populations and turn results into meaningful impact.

Expert support, every step

You'll work closely with your supervisory team and have access to our Doctoral College training that will help you plan your project, sharpen your methods and build your researcher confidence.

Supportive postgraduate research community

Develop your project within a collaborative, research-active environment focused on translating discovery into clinical impact.

 

 

90%

of our overall research quality was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance and rigour

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑-别虫肠别濒濒别苍肠别-蹿谤补尘别飞辞谤办/谤别蹿-2021/补濒濒颈别诲-丑别补濒迟丑-辫谤辞蹿别蝉蝉颈辞苍蝉-诲别苍迟鈥

100%

of our impact case studies were rated as very considerable in terms of their reach and significance.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑-别虫肠别濒濒别苍肠别-蹿谤补尘别飞辞谤办/谤别蹿-2021/补濒濒颈别诲-丑别补濒迟丑-辫谤辞蹿别蝉蝉颈辞苍蝉-诲别苍迟鈥

87.5%

of our research environment was rated as conducive to producing research of world-leading or internationally excellent quality and enabling outstanding or very considerable impact, in terms of its vitality and sustainability.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑/谤别蝉别补谤肠丑-别虫肠别濒濒别苍肠别-蹿谤补尘别飞辞谤办/谤别蹿-2021/补濒濒颈别诲-丑别补濒迟丑-辫谤辞蹿别蝉蝉颈辞苍蝉-诲别苍迟鈥

 

 

Research areas in Dental and oral health

Explore the work we're doing across the three areas of expertise in our Dental and Oral Health research. Including funded and self-proposed research opportunities. 

View available PhD projects and see funded opportunities.

Dental public health

We undertake research relating to promoting health, preventing disease and how to facilitate access to high quality dental care for all.

Dental public health
Read more

Dental education

We're focusing on the development and evaluation of education for the dental team, and working to develop new operative and learning tools for dentistry.

dental education
Read more

Clinical innovation

We're conducting studies that consider and test advanced clinical and diagnostic techniques, efficient models of clinical care, and novel clinical materials.

Clinical innovation
Read more

 

 

Research degree options in Dental and oral health

We offer several postgraduate research routes in Dental and oral health, including PhD, MPhil and PhD by Publication. Find out about our research degree opportunities below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. You can apply for an existing project or propose your own research idea. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Available PhD and MPhil projects

You can apply for a pre-approved PhD or MPhil project, or develop your own research proposal.

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area 鈥 for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6鈥12 months after registering with us.

From October 2026, all PhD by Publications will be completed by distance learning. However, there is no expectation that any student applying for a start date before this should be on campus.

Explore PhD by Publication

 

 

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master鈥檚 degree in an appropriate subject.

Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

 

 

Fees and funding

April 2026

  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

(Including EU Scholarship)

  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,600 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • External candidates: 拢5,006
  • Members of staff: 拢2,000
  • All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2025/26 please visit this page.

October 2026 and February 2027

  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢5,238 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢2,619 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

EU students may be eligible to receive our EU Scholarship.

  • Full-time and full-time distance learning: 拢19,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: 拢9,975 per year (may be subject to annual increase)

 

 

Additional fees

Some PhD projects may include additional bench fees for equipment and other consumables. These will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

 

 

Funding support

Government Postgraduate Loan

Eligible for MPhil full-time and part-time courses (UK/EU students).

Government Doctoral Loan

Eligible for PhD full-time and part-time courses.

Other funding options

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Read more

 

 

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you are self-funding your PhD, your tuition fees cover the full cost of your postgraduate research programme and access to a wide range of academic, professional and support services, including:

Speaker engaging the audience during an interactive seminar.

Research training and development

Bespoke training, professional development courses, seminars, workshops and researcher-led events delivered through The Doctoral College.

Postgraduate research students collaborating on ideas and writing notes

Research community and support

Access to our research environment, Research and Innovation services, and researcher networking (77% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent, REF 2021).

Postgraduate research students experimenting with robotics lab equipment

Facilities, equipment and resources

Libraries, laboratories, computer rooms, laptops, electronic journals, specialist software (Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite), funding guidance and LinkedIn Learning. Explore our facilities.

A student speaking to a careers adviser

Student support services

Including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support, including access to personal tutors. Read more on our guidance support.

Students receiving IT support from a lecturer

Your PhD programme

Registration, tuition, supervision, examinations and viva administration.

A conference with a male speaking into the microphone

Conference and development support

A contribution towards attending conferences or research-related development activities.

海角视频 students holding a kickboxing taster session at Freshers Fayre

Students' Union membership

Giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice.

A postgraduate research student smiling in her graduation attire

Graduation

Your graduation ceremony will recognise the significant contribution your research has made to your discipline.

 

 

Support and facilities

  • Support from our Doctoral College, helping you become part of a thriving, collaborative research community

  • Guidance from a dedicated supervisory team throughout your research degree

  • Access to the , offering specialist training, workshops and research events to develop your skills as a researcher

  • Use advanced 3D printing and evaluate their performance in the oral environment.

 

 

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

A postgraduate research degree develops advanced expertise and transferable skills valued across academia, industry and the public sector.

Postgraduate research student smiling on campus

You鈥檒l graduate with:

  • Advanced research and analytical expertise

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

  • Experience managing complex, independent projects

  • Strong communication and presentation skills

  • Leadership and research management capability

  • Deep subject knowledge in your chosen field

 

 

How to apply

You can apply for a research degree in Dental and Oral Health by completing our online application form. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

 

 

Not ready to apply just yet?

Get in touch

We're here to help. Feel free to ask us a question.

Contact us

 

Come to an Open Evening

Why not come to our next open evening? Open evenings are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campus and get all the information you need.

Book your place

Member of staff offering information to a student at an Open Day

 

 

  • MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
  • PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
  • PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

We recommend you get in touch with the relevant subject area supervisor using our 鈥Find a Supervisor鈥 tool ahead of applying. You can discuss your research ideas with them and ensure we have supervisory expertise to support you.

Yes. You can apply with your own research proposal, or apply for one of our advertised funded projects.

 

 

Where next?

Find out more about 海角视频's postgraduate opportunities and community.

Postgrad Research Degrees Webinar series

From applications to flexible study 鈥 get the insights you need to plan your research degree.

B-roll Day one - studying on computers
Read more

Find a PhD Supervisor

If you've already got your own research idea, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours.

PGR/Postgraduate Research use only
Find a supervisor

How to apply for postgraduate research

Read our guide on how to complete and submit your postgraduate research application. Take the next step in your academic career today.

A student chatting with friends on a bench
Read more