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The Master of Science in Dental Hygiene represents a vital step toward achieving excellence in this dynamic and diverse field. The program aims to provide students with advanced scientific knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to meet the increasing challenges in dental care. 

This program has been established under the coursework and thesis track, available exceptionally in the second semester of the academic year 1447H / 2025–2026. Starting from the academic year 1448H / 2026–2027, the program will be open for admission in the first semester of each year. 

The program is delivered in English and is open to both male and female students.

To graduate dental hygienists equipped with knowledge, skills, and competencies to practice the profession, contribute significantly to community services and scientific research, and improve oral and dental health and quality of life in Saudi society.

1. To provide students with an advanced and comprehensive understanding of dental hygiene practices.
2. To enhance capabilities in scientific research through active student participation, contributing to the development of effective solutions for modern challenges in dental hygiene.
3. To develop practical and technical skills for efficient dental hygiene practice through practical and clinical training.
4. To develop communication skills and improve the work environment, including effective communication, knowledge transfer, problem solving, evaluation, time management, and dental clinic management.
5. To promote commitment to quality standards and professional ethics by enhancing students’ awareness of professional ethics and quality standards in dental hygiene practice.
6. To enhance interaction with the community and healthcare institutions by contributing to improving healthcare services and developing training and industrial programs in healthcare institutions.

• A bachelor’s degree in regular attendance in Dental Hygiene from King Saud University or a recognized institution with at least a “Good” grade, GPA ≥ 2.75 out of 5 or equivalent.
• An Academic IELTS score of ≥ 5.0 or equivalent.

• The student must complete 32 study units, including the thesis.
• The student must successfully complete the master’s thesis.

DEH 511: Clinical Teaching in Dental Hygiene

3 hours

The course covers topics such as curriculum development and design, goal and outcome setting, teaching in the laboratory and clinic, principles of learning, learning styles and motivation, learning through cases, and the use of teaching aids and educational software. The course focuses on providing the fundamental concepts for educational planning, development, and assessment.

DEH 512: Oral Health Services

3 hours

This course teaches the foundations of oral health services, including medical care in traditional and non-traditional clinical settings and the services provided to individuals and the community. The course also highlights problems and responsibilities in oral health services in the government and private sectors, and gives an overview of current transformation in oral health services to achieve transparency, comfort, and flexibility for the patient.

DEH 513: Biostatistics in Dental Health

2 hours

The course includes fundamental concepts, statistical data, population and random sampling, survey methods, data collection methods, data presentation in tables and graphs, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, conditional probability, laws of addition and multiplication of probabilities, random variables and probability distributions, correlation and simple linear regression, time series, and applications using SPSS for managing and analyzing clinical information.

DEH 514: Comprehensive Dental Hygiene Care

3 hours

This course focuses on comprehensive dental hygiene care and clinical practice, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene care for patients.

DEH 521: Advanced Periodontology for Dental Hygiene Professionals

3 hours

This course provides advanced knowledge and clinical understanding of periodontal tissues, periodontal diseases, and periodontal care relevant to dental hygiene professionals.

DEH 522: Seminar in Dental Health

2 hours

The main purpose of the course is to provide dental hygiene students with the opportunity to explore and discuss advanced topics, research, and emerging trends in the field.

DEH 523: Administration & Leadership for Dental Hygiene Professionals

3 hours

This course prepares the student for healthcare facility and dental clinic leadership by empowering them with knowledge of various healthcare management methods within health systems and preparing them for the development of advanced leadership skills.

DEH 598: Thesis Proposal Preparation

1 hour

The Research Methodologies course is designed to equip students with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for planning and conducting scientific research in academic and professional settings. It provides students with an understanding of health-related research, research designs, research methods, theories, concepts, and relevant tools. It also addresses research ethics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, critical evaluation of published literature, problem selection, and hypotheses. Students are required to choose a research topic and prepare a research proposal that includes a comprehensive study plan, which must be submitted to the supervisor for approval.

DEH 600: Thesis

6 hours

The thesis course requires students to write a research paper or independent study on a specific topic in dental technology or dental health. It allows students to apply what they have learned, explore a topic of interest, prepare a research plan, gather information and data, analyze the data, and develop skills in critical thinking, scientific research, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and academic report writing. The student presents the final thesis and may need to defend it before an academic committee.

DEH 551: Advanced Oral Biology

3 hours

This course presents the embryonic development of various oral structures and their associated structures, teeth and their associated structures, and the sequence of tooth eruption and loss. The course also includes a detailed study of the embryonic development of teeth and salivary glands.

DEH 552: Advances in Head and Neck Anatomy

3 hours

A study of anatomical and morphological features of the head and neck. Emphasis is placed on the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, vascular innervation, glandular tissues, and lymphatic system.

DEH 553: Advanced Oral Pathology

3 hours

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of various diseases, conditions, and abnormalities affecting the oral cavity. Diseases unique to oral regions as well as oral manifestations of systemic disease are covered. The course also covers etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of oral pathologies, emphasizing early detection and treatment. Students learn to formulate clinical and radiographic differential diagnoses for common soft and hard tissue abnormalities through case-based discussions.

DEH 554: Emergency Management in Dental Practice

3 hours

This course covers the management of medical and dental emergencies that may occur in dental practice. It aims to prepare students to recognize emergency situations and respond appropriately in clinical settings.

DEH 555: Advanced Oral Medicine and Radiology

3 hours

This course delves into advanced concepts and techniques in dental radiology, equipping students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for advanced clinical practice in dental hygiene. Topics include advanced imaging modalities, radiographic interpretation, radiation safety, digital radiography, and current trends in dental radiology.

DEH 556: Pharmacology in Dental Health Applications

3 hours

In this course, students acquire knowledge in pharmacology and its applications, integrating information related to clinical use and clinical limitations of drugs. This includes understanding drug composition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, therapeutic concentrations, drug concentrations in plasma, liver, and kidneys, and safe dosages during pregnancy, lactation, and for elderly patients. The course also addresses the handling of medical emergencies in dentistry.

1. What is the application process and admission procedure? 
Applications are submitted online through the Deanship of Graduate Studies website during the announced application periods. The process is fully electronic, with no paper applications. The Deanship conducts the initial screening, after which applications are reviewed by the program committee. Final admission is granted upon approval of the department and college.

2. Is the program offered in the regular morning system or the extended evening system? 
Currently, the program is offered only in the regular morning system, and all courses are scheduled in the morning.

3. What is the study track available in the program? 
The program follows the coursework and thesis track, available for the academic years 1447H–1448H / 2025–2026. The coursework and research project track is not available at present.

4. What are the admission requirements? Are there additional requirements beyond the official announcement? 
The basic requirements are published on the Deanship’s website. In addition, the program considers the following criteria when ranking applicants:

• Undergraduate GPA.
• Ranking of the university granting the bachelor’s degree.
• English language proficiency test score.
• Admission test and interview performance.
• Possession of a professional license from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, if available.
• Relevant work experience.
• Published research.

5. Is employer approval required for admission? 
Employer approval is not required for admission. However, admitted students must attend courses during the morning period.

6. Are sponsored or government-funded students accepted? What is their admission process? 
Yes, both self-funded and sponsored or mission students are accepted under the same application and admission process. The only difference lies in tuition payment.

7. Are non-Saudi students accepted, including residents or international students? 
Yes, non-Saudi students are accepted in accordance with the regulations of the Deanship of Graduate Studies and are treated equally to Saudi students.

8. Can students from related fields, such as Dental Assistant, Nursing, or Dentistry, apply? 
Applicants from certain related health fields may be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program, subject to the approval of the departmental admission committee.

9. Is a professional license from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties required for admission? 
The license is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended and is considered a favorable criterion in the admission ranking.

10. Does approval of the program by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties mean automatic classification of graduates? 
Approval of the program by the Commission does not mean automatic classification. Graduates must apply to the Commission and meet its requirements for classification or credentialing.

11. When is the academic supervisor assigned in the thesis track? 
Academic supervisors are assigned during the first year of the program, before registering for DEH 598: Thesis Proposal Preparation.

For more information: https://graduatestudies.ksu.edu.sa/en