Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now Don't miss our weekly PhD newsletter | Sign up now

We have 11 Dentistry PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Discipline

Discipline

Medicine

Location

Location

All locations

Institution

Institution

All Institutions

PhD Type

PhD Type

All PhD Types

Funding

Funding

All Funding


Dentistry PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 11 Dentistry PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

PhDs in Dentistry are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of dental science and oral health.

Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of dental diseases, the effectiveness of dental treatments, and the impact of oral health practices on diverse populations.

Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Dentistry, Medicine, or Biomedical Sciences. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.

Why study a PhD in Dentistry?

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A PhD in Dentistry allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Dentistry, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:

  • Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating dental theories and practices to address challenges.
  • Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Further Career Development

If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.

After completing your PhD in Dentistry, a potential career option might be employment as a Dental Researcher. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, a Dental Researcher earns an average of £33,499 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.

Improve Employability

Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 89% of Medicine PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.

What do prospective Medicine PhD students think about study?

We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Medicine PhD students in 2023:

  • 75% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
  • 66% preferred on campus learning, 12% preferred online/distance learning, and 22% preferred a blended approach.
  • 19% were interested in part-time study.
  • In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
    • Subject interest
    • Career progress
    • Skills development

If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!

Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.

read more
More details

Novel multi-ion therapeutics in mineral formation for oral health

A full PhD scholarship is available for an interdisciplinary project in the field of biomaterials. This is a BBSRC-funded scholarship, in partnership with industry, and is open to UK applicants. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof M Al-Jawad, Dr H Chappell, Dr M Al-Mosawi
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
More details

Determining the effects of menopause on the oral microbiome and systemic health

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1st October 2026. Project Description. Menopause is receiving increased scientific attention, including the oral microenvironment changes that occur with female ageing, which may be attributed to hormonal changes during menopause. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr W Kok
 30 June 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
More details

Antimicrobial dressings for root canal therapy

Root canal therapy is a procedure undertaken daily all over the world. It is necessary to manage patients who have lost parts of teeth due to trauma, dental caries and tooth wear. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof J Camilleri, Dr O Doustdar, Dr A R Rahman
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

3D-Printing and Functionalization of Polyaryletherketone (PEEK) for Maxillofacial Implants

  Research Group: Division of Dentistry
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a radiolucent and biocompatible polymer that has been proposed as an alternative to titanium for the fabrication of maxillofacial implants. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr M Borba, Prof N Silikas
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Dental implications of GLP-1 receptor obesity medicines

The study of the oral effects of medications is of utmost importance in an aging multi-morbid yet dentate population. Obesity treatment medicines such as GLP-1 receptor agonists Wegovy and Mounjaro are now widely prescribed due to the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the UK and beyond. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof K Hijazi, Dr J Smith, Prof L Heisler
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Developing an in silico method for restoration of endodontically treated human molar teeth.

The aim of the project is to understand how individual traits like tooth shape and material properties affect the success of various restorations approaches of molar teeth. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr RR Readioff, Dr A Sharp, Dr EM Moawad, Prof FJ Jarad
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Infant oral health and food choices: supporting parents making right choices

  Research Group: Division of Dentistry
This PhD will investigate how early-life food choices and oral hygiene behaviours shape infant oral health, and design actionable strategies to reduce preventable dental disease in early childhood. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr GK Kitsaras, Prof T Walsh
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Nanocarrier formulations of antimicrobial agents as treatment for odontogenic infections

Odontogenic infections – those which occur within a tooth or in tissue closely surrounding a tooth, such as dental caries – affect approximately 2 billion people globally, including approximately 500 million children. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr S G Gordon, Dr A R Rahman
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

The efficacy of L-PRF to reduce postoperative morbidity after lower third molar surgery.

Surgical removal of lower third molars is one of the most common surgical procedures. It is associated with marked postoperative morbidity as a consequence of surgical trauma, including pain, swelling, reduced mouth opening (trismus) and a risk of wound infection and/or alveolar osteitis (dry socket). Read more
 Supervisor: Prof T Dietrich
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Celular and metabolic changes of the periodontium throughout life.

Project details:  . Chronic inflammatory periodontal disease (PD) is widespread globally with associations with systemic disease, ultimately leading to tooth loss. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr C M Neves
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
More details

Unveiling the relationships between the alveolar bone mechanical and structural properties in health and periodontal disease

Project details. Periodontitis presents a significant challenge in dentistry, often leading to tooth loss due to irreversible damage to the supportive soft and hard tissues surrounding teeth. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr C M Neves, Prof E Dall'Ara
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
  • 1

Filtering Results