The BoS in Community Medicine (hereinafter referred to as BoS) of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), is responsible for conducting the Training Program leading to the degree, MD in Community Dentistry.

Community Dentistry or Dental Public Health is specialty where the focus is on oral health issues of the population rather than individual patients and is firmly rooted in the parent discipline of Public Health.  The practice of dentistry is undergoing rapid change due to factors such as changes in oral disease patterns, demographic shifts, social changes and advancements in technology. Therefore, like any other specialty in dentistry, the specialty of Community Dentistry too has to keep pace with these changes and advancements. Considering these factors, a curriculum revision was undertaken with a view to produce a specialist in Community Dentistry who would have expertise and also provide leadership in population-based dentistry, oral health surveillance, policy development, and implementation, community-based prevention and health promotion.

To be able to:

• plan, implement and evaluate health services with emphasis on health promotion, preventive, curative and rehabilitative care
• manage public health programs
• apply analytical skills for decision making based on scientific reasoning
• critically appraise the scientific evidence in order to adopt evidence informed interventions
• develop positive attitudes towards health promotion
• empower communities to be responsible and accountable to their own health and mobilize communities against factors which adversely affect the health of populations
• communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals, groups, communities, and multidisciplinary teams of experts in health and other professions for provision of optimal health care
• advocate for formulation, implementation and evaluation of public health policy, regulations and legislations to protect and promote populations’ health.
• demonstrate effective leadership and management skills
• engage in quality research, generate and test innovative solutions for identified health problems and disseminate research findings
• manage and supervise research projects
• cultivate the commitment to engage in continuing professional development.
• safeguard and promote human rights and ethics

The prerequisite to join the MD programme will be the MSc in Community Dentistry awarded by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo and other PGIM general regulations relevant to trainees

Please refer to the relevant prospectus for the most up to date information. The prospectus of a particular programme contains official information pertaining to a programme approved by the Board of Management, University Senate and the University Grants Commission