Master of Oral Health (MOH)

Overview

The Master of Oral Health (MOH) graduate will attain advanced knowledge, skills and attributes in the scope of dental therapy and dental hygiene practice. The graduate will demonstrate a high level of research-informed clinical practice, the implementation of an oral health promotion project, the ability to produce research outputs (Level 9 NZQF) at a standard suitable for internationally peer reviewed publications and presentations, as well as the ability to embark on postgraduate study at the doctoral level

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Oral Health (MOH)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, on the advice of the Admissions Sub-Committee of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability to complete the programme.
   2. Every applicant must hold the degree of Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Otago or another oral health qualification approved by the Admissions Sub-Committee and be registered in the areas of dental hygiene and/or dental therapy practice in his or her country of practice or residence.
   3. Applicants must have achieved a minimum grade point average of B+ in the final year of the qualifying degree or qualification.
   4. Admission to the programme is limited to a maximum of six candidates annually.

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The programme of study shall consist of the following papers, to the value of 180 points: DEOH 501, DEOH 502, and DEOH 580;
   2. All papers must be passed for the degree to be awarded.

3. Duration of the Programme

   1. A candidate for the degree shall normally follow a programme of study for one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.
   2. The programme will take place over an academic year of 46 weeks (either full-time, or half-time for part-time students).
   3. A candidate will normally be expected to satisfy the requirements for the degree within two years of admission to a full-time programme or within four years of admission to a part-time programme.

4. Examination of the Research Dissertation

   1. The Dean of Dentistry (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners who shall oversee the examination for each research dissertation.
   2. The research dissertation shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one whom shall be external to the Faculty of Dentistry.
   3. The candidate’s supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Convener of Examiners.
   4. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the dissertation and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the research dissertation as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options specified in clause (e) below.
   5. The examiners may recommend that a dissertation:
      1. be accepted without amendments;
      2. be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Convener of Examiners;
      3. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
      4. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
   6. Amendments (regulation 4(e)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 4(e)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners, in accordance with established procedures.
   7. A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit research dissertation for examination once only.
   8. If a revised and resubmitted research dissertation is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
   9. Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners shall engage in established mediation procedures, and if unresolvable, so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting an independent referee who should normally be external to the Faculty of Dentistry.
   10. The relative weighting of the components of the programme is papers 67% and research dissertation 33%.

5. Withdrawal from the Programme

   1. A student who withdraws on or before 10 July in the year of admission will be required to reapply for admission to the programme.
   2. A student who withdraws at any other time during the programme will be required to apply to the Faculty Operations Manager for readmission by 1 September of the year prior to that for which readmission is sought. Such a student will be readmitted only on the recommendation of the Faculty.

6. Exclusion from the Programme

   Any student who, during the course of their studies, is

   1. subject to criminal charges;
   2. subject to disciplinary proceedings of the University or of a professional body; or
   3. found to have an issue in connection with their mental or physical health that could adversely affect their fitness to practise; or
   4. found to have failed to declare a matter covered by (6) (a)-(c),

   may be excluded from further study towards the degree by the Academic Board of the Division of Health Sciences on the recommendation of the Faculty of Dentistry.

7. Level of Award of the Degree

   The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.