Undergraduate Entry Requirements

 

Applicants who are keen to pursue a course in Dentistry should meet admission requirements and the following subject pre-requisites:

Those who are shortlisted for admission will be invited to take a manual dexterity test as well as appear for the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) in March - April each year

The course extends over 4 years during which the academic, clinical and practical elements of dentistry are studied and practised. The first two years of study cover basic sciences such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology (including Immunology) and Pathology as well as the oral sciences such as Oral Biology and Dental Public Health. This is to ensure dental students acquire the essential basic and dental science knowledge needed for clinical practice. In addition students undergo pre-clinical training to prepare them for entry into clinics. In the third and final years of the course, the management and treatment of patients are strongly emphasised along with teaching of clinical oral sciences.

Towards the end of the four-year programme, the students will attend a short course on General Practice Management (GPM) to prepare them to be practice-ready dental surgeons.

The BDS (Singapore) degree allows the holder to register in Singapore and Malaysia .The General Dental Council (UK) recognises the BDS (Singapore) for full registration from holders who qualified before 2001. Graduates after this date would be required to complete the Overseas Registration Exam before they would be eligible for full registration in the UK.

 

Health Requirements

In accordance with Ministry of Health requirements, all prospective students seeking admission to Dentistry must undergo screening for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV viruses.  Prospective students tested positive for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV carriers will not be eligible for admission to Dentistry.

In addition, prospective students are required to demonstrate immunity against Hepatitis B. In the event that they remain non-immune despite repeat vaccinations (with the primary course series i.e. 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine), they will be counselled to understand their risk and susceptibility to Hepatitis B during the course of study and when they graduate.  As such, it may be in their interest to re-consider their career choice as their future career options in healthcare may be restricted.

NUS reserves the right to re-test any or all of its new dental undergraduates for any or all markers of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV viruses, and exclude any students tested positive for any of these blood-borne diseases from the Dentistry course.

Prospective dental students are also required to furnish documentary evidence of immunity to, or immunity for, Varicella Zoster Virus (Chickenpox), Mumps, Measles and Rubella Viruses. If a student cannot receive the appropriate vaccine for any of these conditions, a letter from a physician will be required.

All prospective Dentistry students should receive tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, if they have not previously received the Tdap vaccination.  These students should be vaccinated with a single dose of Tdap followed by a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) every 10 years.  If Td is unavailable, it may be replaced with Tdap.  Students who have previously received Tdap vaccination should receive a booster dose of Td every 10 years.  If Td is unavailable, it may be replaced with Tdap.  Documented proof of vaccination with Tdap or Td in the last 10 years would be acceptable as evidence of immunity.  Self-declaration is not considered proof of immunity. 

From 2013, in compliance with NUS and the Ministry of Manpower statutory medical surveillance requirements, all candidates must complete the NUS occupational health risk assessment and indemnity forms as well as undergo an audiometric testing.

 

Links

Office of Admissions

Dentistry Undergraduate Programme - FAQs

Faculty of Dentistry Job Shadowing Programme

Special Undergraduate Elective/Exchange Programme

Contact

For more information, please email to denbox8@nus.edu.sg.