Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Dental Surgery Assistance
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The course consists of two parts each of a year's duration; the Pre-tertiary Certificate and the Diploma Course, provided you successfully complete the former. You will receive the foundation knowledge on the normal functioning and general pathology of the human body, introductory knowledge of behavioural sciences, basic dental information and principles of sterilization, to name a few. The public health study-unit will include basic nutritional and oral hygiene counselling and community dental health program planning, implementation, and evaluation. During the Diploma Course, you will further develop intellectually by receiving knowledge focused on oral and dental disease, and will enable you to attain and refine your intellectual and clinical proficiency so as to allow you to seek direct employment or further studies, after completion of the course. We will provide you with the necessary training for the profession of dental assistance and to advance the standards of this vocation. The course consists of two parts each of a year's duration; the Pre-tertiary Certificate and the Diploma Course, provided you successfully complete the former. You will receive the foundation knowledge on the normal functioning and general pathology of the human body, introductory knowledge of behavioural sciences, basic dental information and principles of sterilization, to name a few. The public health study-unit will include basic nutritional and oral hygiene counselling and community dental health program planning, implementation, and evaluation. During the Diploma Course, you will further develop intellectually by receiving knowledge focused on oral and dental disease, and will enable you to attain and refine your intellectual and clinical proficiency so as to allow you to seek direct employment or further studies, after completion of the course. We will provide you with the necessary training for the profession of dental assistance and to advance the standards of this vocation. Th
Career Opportunities
As a graduate in this course you will have career opportunities within the private sector and in the government health services. If you are in possession of a Diploma in Dental Surgery Assistance (Second Class or better), then you will be able to progress to the Bachelor courses offered by the Faculty of Dental Surgery.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2) Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) DSG0002 Introduction to Dentistry - The Role of Dental Assistant 6 ECTS (NC) DSG0003 Clinical Orientation for Dental Assistants 10 ECTS (NC) ORC0001 Public Health - The Role of the Dental Surgery Assistant in Health Promotion 4 ECTS (NC) RDN0001 An Introduction to Dental Instruments and Equipment 4 ECTS (NC) Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) COU0901 Basic Communication Skills for Dental Surgery Assistants 4 ECTS (NC) DNS0001 An Introduction to Human Biology and Anatomy 4 ECTS (NC) DNS0002 Anatomy and Physiology of the Oral Cavity 4 ECTS (NC) LIN1063 Academic Reading and Writing in English 2 ECTS (NC) ORC0002 Health, Safety and Infection Control for Dental Surgery Assistants 4 ECTS (NC) Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) DNS0003 Clinical Medical Sciences for Dental Assistants 4 ECTS (NC) LIN1065 Academic Speaking in English 2 ECTS ORC0003 Clinical Ethics 4 ECTS (NC) PHB0305 Introduction to Dental Biochemistry and Cell Physiology 4 ECTS (NC) RDN0002 Dental Materials 4 ECTS (NC) This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Pre-Tertiary Certificate in Dental Surgery Assistance under the auspices of the Faculty of Dental Surgery.
Admission Requirements
General Entry Requirements Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications Special Course Requirements Either (a) passes in the Secondary Education Certificate Examination at Grade 5 or better in the following: (i) any TWO subjects from English Language, Mathematics, or Maltese and (ii) any ONE subject from Chemistry or Biology and (iii) any other subject Or (b) the MCAST Diploma in Applied Science Or (c) the MCAST-BTEC Diploma in Health and Social Care. Notes and any other requirements Applicants considered as “Adult Learners” (mature applicants) in terms of paragraph (c) of regulation 6 of the Admissions Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the Board that they have reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. Such applicants shall be required to submit with their application a letter written in English giving their motivation for applying for this Course together with a copy of their Curriculum Vitae (C.V.). Prior to enrolling for the Course, accepted applicants shall be required to undergo an occupational health assessment as detailed in the Occupational Health Protocol approved by the Board, so as to ascertain that they are fit for the duties related to their proposed studies. Students who do not fulfil this requirement shall be barred from attending the clinical placements indicated in the programme of study for the Course. You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications. You can submit your application online . The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta. You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage . Access more informat
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
Non EU Applicants: Fee per academic year: Eur 10,800 You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 1 year
- Credits 60
