JAMB Subject Combination for Child Dental Health 2026/2027 – Complete 2026/2027 Guide

Securing admission into any Nigerian university requires accurate knowledge of the JAMB subject combination and other entry requirements for your desired course. This is especially important for health-related and highly specialized courses such as Child Dental Health. Every year, many admission applicants make mistakes when choosing their UTME subjects, and these errors often lead to automatic disqualification, even when the JAMB score is high.

To help you avoid such mistakes, this article provides a complete and updated guide to the JAMB subject combination for Child Dental Health, along with details on the O’level requirements, direct entry qualifications, course description, university options, and career opportunities. Whether you are planning for the 2025/2026 academic session or future years, this guide will prepare you with everything you need to succeed.

What is Child Dental Health?

Child Dental Health—sometimes referred to as Paediatric Dentistry—is a specialized field in dentistry that focuses on the oral health and dental care of infants, children, and adolescents. It involves:

• Diagnosing and treating dental problems in children

• Managing oral development

• Educating parents and guardians on dental hygiene

• Performing preventive and corrective dental procedures

• Handling dental emergencies in children

• Managing children with special health needs

This field requires both medical expertise and child psychology, as young patients often need extra attention, patience, and reassurance during dental procedures.

Professionals in Child Dental Health ensure that children grow with healthy teeth and proper oral habits, preventing major dental issues in adulthood.

Correct JAMB Subject Combination for Child Dental Health

To study Child Dental Health in any accredited Nigerian university offering the course, you must choose the correct UTME subjects. JAMB has officially approved the following subject combination:

1. Use of English (Compulsory for all UTME candidates)

2. Biology

3. Chemistry

4. Physics

These subjects reflect the medical and scientific foundation of the course. Biology and Chemistry are core, while Physics strengthens analytical and diagnostic knowledge required in dental science.

Choosing any subject outside this combination will result in instant admission rejection by both JAMB and your preferred university.

WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Requirements for Child Dental Health

In addition to the correct JAMB subjects, you must also meet the O’level (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB) requirements. The compulsory subjects needed are:

Five (5) O’level credit passes in:

• English Language

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

These must be obtained in one or two sittings, depending on the university’s policy. For highly competitive universities, one sitting is usually preferred.

Direct Entry Requirements for Child Dental Health

If you intend to gain admission through Direct Entry (DE), the following qualifications are acceptable in most universities:

1. A’ Level / JUPEB / IJMB

Candidates should have at least two (2) A’ Level passes in:

• Biology/Zoology

• Chemistry

• Physics

2. ND, HND, or NCE

Some universities accept candidates with good grades in:

• Dental Health Technology

• Community Health

• Science Laboratory Technology

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Biomedical Sciences

3. Medical Professional Certifications

Institutions may also consider applicants with certificates such as:

• Registered Dental Technician (RDT)

• Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA)

• Dental Therapist certificates

However, this depends on university-specific policies.

Universities Offering Child Dental Health in Nigeria

Child Dental Health is a highly specialized program, usually offered as part of dentistry or medical science faculties. Not all Nigerian universities offer this course. The following institutions are among those known to provide Paediatric Dentistry or Child Dental Health training:

• University of Lagos (UNILAG)

• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)

• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)

• University of Benin (UNIBEN)

• Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria)

• University of Ibadan (UI)

• Bayero University Kano (BUK)

• University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

• Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) – (in Dentistry-related programs)

Some universities offer it strictly at the postgraduate level, while others include it in undergraduate Dentistry programs. Always check the JAMB brochure for updated details.

JAMB Cut-Off Mark for Child Dental Health

Because Child Dental Health is part of Dentistry, it falls under the medical and clinical sciences. As a result, the course is highly competitive.

General UTME Cut-off Mark:

180–200 minimum (depending on the university)

However, for top universities such as UNILAG, UNN, OAU, and UNIBEN:

220–250+ is recommended for higher admission chances

This is because admission into medical courses depends heavily on merit and overall performance (JAMB + Post-UTME + O’level grading).

Why Child Dental Health Is a Competitive Course

There are several reasons why the course is competitive:

• It is offered in few universities

• It is a sub-specialization within Dentistry

• It requires strong science background

• It leads to high-level medical careers

• Universities admit a limited number of students

To successfully gain admission, candidates must achieve a high JAMB score and perform strongly in Post-UTME.

Course Duration for Child Dental Health

The typical duration for undergraduate Dentistry programs, including Child Dental Health specialization, is:

5 to 6 years

This includes:

• Pre-clinical training

• Clinical rotations

• Laboratory work

• Practical dental procedures

• Internship and hands-on patient experience

• Final-year project and professional examinations

In some cases, Child Dental Health specialization may be taken at postgraduate level after obtaining a degree in Dentistry (BDS).

What You Will Study in Child Dental Health

Students in this program take a wide variety of medical and dental science courses, including:

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Biochemistry

• Dental Materials Science

• Oral Biology

• Child Psychology

• Pharmacology

• Community Dentistry

• Pedodontics

• Preventive Dentistry

• Oral Radiology

• Periodontology

• Dental Ethics and Law

These subjects prepare students for professional dental practice, especially in handling children’s dental health needs.

Skills You Will Develop in This Course

Studying Child Dental Health equips you with both medical and interpersonal skills:

Technical Skills

• Diagnosis of dental conditions

• Tooth extraction and filling techniques

• Oral surgery basics

• Dental imaging

• Clinical laboratory skills

• Preventive dentistry methods

Soft Skills

• Communication with children and parents

• Patience and emotional intelligence

• Problem-solving

• Attention to detail

• Confidence in interacting with patients

These skills are essential for providing quality dental care to infants, children, and adolescents.

Career Opportunities in Child Dental Health

Graduates in Child Dental Health or Paediatric Dentistry have a wide range of career opportunities, including:

1. Hospitals and Clinics

• Child dental specialist

• Oral health consultant

• Dental surgeon

2. Public Health

• School dental health officer

• Government oral health educator

• Public health dentist

3. Private Practice

• Owning a dental clinic

• Working in children-focused dental hospitals

4. Academia and Research

• University lecturer

• Dental researcher

• Oral health researcher

5. NGOs and International Agencies

• UNICEF child health programs

• WHO oral health outreach

• Community dental health advocate

The demand for dental professionals is rising as awareness of oral health increases.

How to Score High in JAMB for Child Dental Health

Here are proven strategies to boost your JAMB score:

• Start studying early

• Focus on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

• Use JAMB-recommended textbooks

• Practice past questions daily

• Take timed mock exams

• Improve your speed and accuracy

• Study the JAMB syllabus thoroughly

• Create a realistic reading timetable

With a score of 230+, your chances of gaining admission significantly increase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Mathematics compulsory for Child Dental Health?

Yes, Mathematics is compulsory in your O’level subjects, but not in JAMB.

2. Can I study Child Dental Health without Physics?

No. Physics is required for both O’level and JAMB.

3. Is Dentistry the same as Child Dental Health?

Child Dental Health is a specialization under Dentistry.

4. What is the best JAMB score for the course?

A score of 230–260 is ideal for competitive universities.

5. Is Child Dental Health difficult?

It is a challenging course but manageable with focus and passion.

Read Also: JAMB Subject Combination for Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Complete Guide for 2026/2027 Aspirants

Choosing the correct JAMB subject combination for Child Dental Health is the first and most important step in securing admission into a Nigerian university. With Use of English, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, you meet the essential UTME requirements for the course.

Combined with strong O’level results, excellent performance in Post-UTME, and thorough preparation, you will have a strong chance of gaining admission into any university offering Child Dental Health or related Dentistry programs.