Admissions Criteria for the Foundation Year of the BDS Program

1. A minimum High School Average of 85% for Advanced Track or 80% for Elite Track or equivalent in Standardized International Systems is required with no admission of General Track applicants.
2. An Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT) score of 1100 for English Language or an equivalent English Proficiency Test approved by the CAA.
3. An EmSAT score of 800 for Arabic Language. Alternatively, the international students can register for a non-credited Basic Arabic Language course at the institution.
4. An EmSAT score of 900 in Mathematics or equivalent, plus scores of 900 in two of the three science subjects (Chemistry, Biology or Physics). In the case that EmSAT scores in Mathematics and two science subjects are not available, a candidate shall sit an equivalent Admission Exam designed by the College of Dentistry which includes Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Mathematics.
5. Passing a personal interview set by the College of Dentistry.
6. Conditional admission will be allowed for not achieving the Arabic Language EmSAT score but not for English Language, Mathematics and science subjects (or equivalent admission test in these subjects) or overall High School Certificate, as above. 
   

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Graduation Requirements
The graduate should have:
1.    successfully completed all of the courses required for graduation in the study plan and obtained 70% or more in the combined results for years 4 and 5 (Phase III)
2.    obtained a minimum score of 70% in the final BDS Exit Examination
3.    successfully completed all the other mandatory and elective requirements of the study plan with GPA 2.0 points
4.    spent the minimum period stipulated for the award of the bachelor's degree and did not exceed the maximum.

Rationale of Curriculum

The rationale behind the development of this curriculum is in response to:

•      An explosion of knowledge in dentistry in the last ten years, leading to new philosophies, new techniques and on‐going controversies.

•      Major changes in the pattern of dental disease.

•      An increasing proportion of the population retaining their teeth into middle and old age and requiring special consideration.

•      Major advances in the field of teaching methodology and student learning.

Curriculum Outcome and Competencies

Graduate Outcomes/Responsibilities

The following outcomes should be developed through the learning experiences of the BDS program. The dental graduate should:

•      adopt and employ professional attitudes and standards / values

•      effectively manage community‐based oral health

•      effectively manage individual patient care

•      effectively manage a dental team

•      engage in self‐directed life‐long learning.

Graduate Outcome Indicators – "Competencies"

The dental graduate should have achieved the following competencies:

1. Adopt and Employ Professional Attitudes and Standards / Values by:

•      advocating for change

•      communicating effectively with a range of audiences, e.g. professional, policymaking bodies, community and patients

•      providing dental care in a contemporary ethical and legal environment

•      displaying integrity in all aspects of professional life

•      applying a wide understanding of social, political and cultural perspectives to inform practice.

2. Effectively Manage Community‐Based Oral Health by:

•      having a vision of oral health in the wider community

•      committing to the improvement of oral health in the whole community, including underprivileged groups, through diagnosis, treatment and education

•      being informed by a preventive approach to management

•      engaging in promotion of oral health as it relates to general health

•     demonstrating a commitment to optimizing their own oral health.

3. Effectively Manage Individual Patient Care By:

•      using an evidenced‐based approach to provide holistic management

•      acting as an advocate for patients

•      providing a broad range of dental interventions

•      having expertise in diagnosis, treatment planning and dental care in the long term

•      integrating and applying an understanding of basic, clinical, behavioral and social science concepts to inform practice.

4. Effectively Manage a Dental Team by:

•      working effectively as a team member of an integrated dental team and interprofessional teams

•      managing self, resources and people within the constraints of the practice context

•      utilizing information technology for communication, patient and practice management.

5. Engage in Self‐Directed Life‐Long Learning By:

•      using reflection and critical self‐assessment to inform evidence‐based practice

•      accessing the most current information and research, critically evaluating it  individually and in collaboration

•      using up‐to‐date learning technologies

•      monitoring social and economic trends and considering their implications for practice

•      recognizing the need for further education and undertaking appropriate courses as necessary.

General and Key Characteristics of BDS Curriculum

1. Continuum of Dental Education

The curriculum will provide an educational experience that ensures continuing development from undergraduate to internship and further graduate training.

2. Outcome Competency Based Curriculum

Core competencies essential for good dental practice guides the structure of the curriculum, organization, learning and teaching approaches, student assessment outcome and program evaluation.

3. Integrated Curriculum

The thematic organization of the curriculum is based on streams and the building of new knowledge and skills based on experience in a previous stream allow a horizontal and vertical integration of the teaching‐learning activities such that an excellent appreciation of the basic and clinical science is achieved.

4. Early Introduction of Clinical Dentistry

This approach allows early understanding of patho‐physiological principles and generates the eagerness to know more; it further enable fine skills to be developed at a very early phase of education so that difficult hand skills learning abilities are identified and rectified early in the program.

5. Student‐Centered Flexible Learning

The learning environment will be structured to allow more flexibility and choice in time, place and style of learning.

6. Problem /Team Based Learning

The direct relevance of the practice of dentistry will be emphasized by the use of patients' problems and conducting these problem-solving exercises based on sound medical, dental and social sciences evidence‐based principles.

7. Community-Based Context

The course will emphasize the appropriate needs of dentistry in the community with special interest in the rural environment.

8. Leadership Quality

Courses will be delivered in a way that makes the student a future leader in a health team, practicing team work, promoting the scientific method of problem solving and to be a lifelong learner to ensure his/her competitiveness and relevance throughout his/her career.

9. Constructive Assessment

The assessment methods will enable recognition of one's strength and weaknesses, with the ability to improve and achieve goals for long-term professional qualities rather than short-term superficial learning.

10. Yearly Assessment System

The continuous assessment system is reported on an annual basis made at the end of each year to enable early recognition and rectification of areas that demand attention. The curriculum has been adapted from the University of Adelaide Bachelor of Dental Surgery Program with modifications and adaptations made to fit the local culture, health care system and learning environment of the United Arab Emirates.

Structure and Overview of the Curriculum

The structure of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) curriculum is shown below.

The curriculum consists of three phases that are completed over a six-year period. The various phases and corresponding curricular components are described in the following section.

 

Phase I: Foundation Sciences

The first year at the University prepares students to achieve a level of knowledge necessary to assimilate the more challenging medical and dental science subjects in the later phases. Students will be exposed to new learning methods in both physical and biological sciences in the form of problem-based learning, group projects, critical and lateral thinking, scientific literature search and academic writing. Self-directed learning philosophy will be emphasized and other academic and social activities are conducted to mould a smooth transfer from high school education to University Campus life.

Phase II: Integrated Dental Sciences

The Phase II program runs over the course of three academic years - First, Second and Third Years (BDS 1, BDS 2 and BDS 3) - and consists of teaching‐learning activities that are delivered in four streams. A "stream" is an educational structure, organization and philosophy that depicts a collection of established general science, basic medical and dental sciences and clinical sciences and practice disciplines, that are integrated to represent knowledge, skills and values necessary for the best health care practice at the individual and community level. The four streams are Dental Health Sciences, Dental Clinical Practice, Human Biology and Community Dentistry. The streams are integrated with each other laterally within a year and vertically within subsequent years.

Dental and Health Sciences I, II and III

Dental and Health Sciences I forms the basis of oral anatomy and physiology that integrates with cell biology and subsequently will lead on to a Second-Year stream of human embryology, oral histology, and aspects of biochemistry.

The Dental and Health Science III stream includes physiology and disturbance of the masticatory system, disorders of the dental hard tissue, dental radiology, introduction to oral surgery, craniofacial growth and development and introduction to orthodontics.

Dental Clinical Practice I, II and III

Dental clinical Practice I introduces students to general dental practice environment. It emphasizes the art of medical and dental history, taking a physical examination, infection control, oral health and preventive dentistry and medical ethics. The Second Year Dental Clinical Practice stream follows on from Dental Clinical Practice I, providing acquisition and consolidation of basic clinical skills in tooth preservation and treatment of periodontal diseases. Students will also enhance their diagnostic and operative skills in laboratory exercises and in the simulation clinics.

Dental Clinical Practice III stream builds on previous years, concentrating on advanced restorative techniques and total dental rehabilitation of patients by introducing prosthodontics, endodontics and more complex conservative techniques. Students will begin simple restorative dentistry work on patients in the second semester of BDS 3.

Human Biology I, II and III

The Human Biology I stream begins with a detailed understanding of human cell biology with emphasis on molecular biology and genetics that will form a strong foundation in understanding embryology, growth and development and functions of organ‐based systems. This leads on to a Structure and Function of the Human Biology II in the Second Year that includes anatomy and physiology of body systems, e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, as well as detailed gross anatomy of the head and neck region and neuroanatomy. In the Third Year, the Human Biology III Stream "Diseases and Disorders" of the Human Body includes aspects of general and oral pathology, microbiology, immunology and pharmacology.

Community Dentistry I and II

The Community Dentistry stream is designed to support the learning activities of the students to ensure optimum benefits of their learning experience and as how it relates and affects the community. They are strategically embedded in the second and third year (BDS 1 and 2) that would lay down the foundations of evidence-based medicine. The stream consists of units that provide exercises in communication and learning skills, research methodology and social context of dentistry. Community Dentistry I and II provide the basis for the students from multicultural background to adopt critical thinking and professionalism.

Phase III: Dental Clerkship

The Phase III or Dental Clerkship encompasses two integrated years – the Fourth and Fifth Years (BDS 4 and BDS 5) of study – of full time clinical rotations in four major dental and medical disciplines and ending with a multidisciplinary general practice clerkship in the sixth year. The teaching elements in this phase are the product of integration of both Dental Clinical Practice and Dental and Health Sciences streams. The teaching‐learning activities will mainly be in the form of multidisciplinary seminars conducted by multi specialty faculty. This will lead to an innovative in depth training in each dental/medical disciplines and at the same time applying this knowledge and skills in students general dental practice clinics. A strong emphasis will be placed on clinical community dentistry and outreach activities. Students are also required to complete one elective project in a related medical, dental or health sciences specialty as a partial fulfillment of the BDS degree. The dental clerkship phase is a student's training ground for independent learning and the final molding of a 'lifelong learner' for the future dentist.

Assessment

Assessment Philosophy. The College runs an annual assessment system. The final marks for graduation are accumulated in Phase III only. Grading in the University requirements and electives are not considered in the overall final grade.

Achievement and level of competence will be assessed according to the outcomes that are listed for each stream in this document. Assessment methods vary across the different streams, and may include:

•      practical and tutorial assignments

•      practical exercises

•      group projects and presentations

•      written examinations

•      clinical examination / OSCE

•      Practice Assessment Portfolio.

The assessment procedures will:

•      assess students' ability to apply knowledge, attitudes and skills, not just recall Information

•      test for problem‐analysis and management as important aspects, as well as the use of evidence-based basic science in justifying decisions and critical thinking

•      encouraging students to monitor their own progress and plan remedial studies

•      provide an open system where standards are explicit, and the required levels of competence are stated beforehand

•      assess capability of team work and multiprofessional tasks

•      encourage students to measure peers' performance as an essential part of their own further education.

Self‐assessment. Students must be good at, and comfortable with, assessing the standard of their own work, particularly in relation to Dental Clinical Practice. This is a particularly useful skill to have when working as a dentist and be life long learners.

Method of reporting results. Results in Phase I and University mandatory and elective courses requirements are reported using the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) system (credit hour system). These results are reported but not added to the core dental program in Phase II and III. Results for major streams of the BDS program in Phase II and III are reported as percentages based on an annual system. Results in all the Phases are stand alone and do not contribute to the subsequent phases.

Program Outline, Assessment and Promotion

Phase I: Foundation Year

For more detailed information on foundation year in dentistry please refer to the College of Medicine. The Foundation Year is a medical sciences preparation year and admission to the BDS 1 year is competitive and limited by available seats.

 

Phase II: First Year - BDS 1

Human Biology 1

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1-    Human Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics

2-    General Histology

3-    Medical Physiology

Dental and Health Sciences 1

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1.    Dental Terminology

2.    Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion

3.    Basic Anatomy of Masticatory System

4.    Forensic Dentistry

Community Dentistry 1

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1.    Epidemiology

2.    Introduction to Bio-Statistics

3.    Evidence- Based Dentistry

4.    Introduction to Statistical Analysis

Dental Clinical Practice 1

1.    Introduction to general dental practice

2.    Preliminary History taking, Physical Examination, Charting and Record Keeping.

3.    Preventive Dentistry and Cariology

4.    Periodontology

5.    Basics of Radiology

6.    Basic Dental Biomaterials

7.    Introduction to Operative Dentistry - Basic Terminology, Skills and Instruments

8.    Dental Ergonomics and 4-handed dentistry

Assessment and Promotion

Assessment of each stream for promotion to BDS 2 is based on the following criteria:

First Semester	Mid Semester Mid Year Examination	15% 20%
Second Semester	Mid Semester End of year Examination	15% 50%

The components of the examination consist of:

I) MCQ examination

II) short answer questions

III) objective structured practical examination

IV) laboratory practical test

V) a written project assignment.

The final result for each stream is the sum of the marks obtained throughout the year. The passing mark for each stream is 60%. Students must pass all streams to be promoted to the second BDS year. The final annual result is the average of the results of all streams. The passing mark is 70%. Failure in a stream will require 'repeat examinations' for that stream in the same year. Failure in the 'repeat examination' will require the student to repeat the whole year. Students must complete and pass all streams in the repeat year.

Phase II: Second Year - BDS 2

Human Biology 2

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. Medical Physiology

2. General and Head and Neck Anatomy

3. Neuroanatomy

Dental and Health Sciences 2

1. Dental and Craniofacial Embryology

2.Oral Histology

3. Biochemistry

Community Dentistry 2

1. Evidence-Based Dentistry

2. Behavioral Medicine and Social context of Dentistry

Dental Clinical Practice 2

1. Operative Dentistry

2. Periodontology

3. Basic Dental Radiology

Assessment and Promotion

Assessment of each stream for promotion to BDS 3 is based on the following criteria:

First Semester	Mid Semester Mid Year Examination	15% 20%
Second Semester	Mid Semester End of year Examination	15% 50%

The components of the examination consist of:

I) MCQ examination

II) Short answer question

III) Objective structured practical examination

IV) Laboratory practical test

V) A written project assignment

The final result for each stream is the sum of the marks obtained throughout the year. The passing mark for each stream is 60%. Students must pass all streams to be promoted to the third BDS year. The final annual result is the average of the results of all streams. The passing mark is 70%. Failure in a stream will require 'repeat examinations' for that stream in the same year. Failure in the 'repeat examination' will require the student to repeat the whole year. Students must complete and pass all streams in the repeat year.

Phase II: Third Year - BDS 3

Human Biology 3

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. General Pathology

2. Oral Pathology

3. Microbiology

4. Immunology

5. Pharmacology and therapeutics

Dental and Health Sciences 3

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. Craniofacial growth and development

2. Craniofacial Deformities

3. Disorders of the masticatory system

Dental Clinical Practice 3

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. Advanced Operative Dentistry

2. Endodontics

3. Removable Prosthodontics

4. Applied Biomaterial Science

5. Preventive Dentistry

6. Periodontology

7. Pain Control Techniques

8. Oral Radiology Techniques

Assessment and Promotion

Assessment of each stream for promotion to BDS 4 (Phase III) is based on the following criteria:

First Semester	Mid Semester Mid Year Examination	15% 20%
Second Semester	Mid Semester End of year Examination	15% 50%

The components of the examination consist of:

I) MCQ examination

II) Short answer question

III) Objective structured practical examination

IV) Laboratory practical test

V) A written project assignment

 

The final result for each stream is the sum of the marks obtained throughout the year. The passing mark for each stream is 60%. Students must pass all streams to be promoted to the Fourth BDS year. The final annual result is the average of the results of all streams. The passing mark is 70%. Failure in a stream will require  'repeat examinations' for that stream in the same year. Failure in the 'repeat examination' will require the student to repeat the whole year. Students must complete and pass all streams in the repeat year.

Phase III: Years 4 and 5 - BDS 4 and 5

Dental and Health Sciences and Dental Clinical Practice

Both streams are closely coordinated and they consist of an integrated cluster of the following major clinical rotations:

Dental Clinical Practice 4A and 5A

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. Clinical Preventive and Operative Dentistry

2. Endodontics

3. Removable and Fixed Prosthodontics

4. Periodontics

Dental Clinical Practice 4B and 5B

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. Population Health

2. Ethics and professionalism

3. Orthodontics

4. Pediatric Dentistry

Dental and Health sciences 4 &5

This stream consists of an integrated cluster of the following areas:

1. General Medicine and Surgery

2. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology

3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

4. Oral Radiology

5. Oral Diagnosis

The Dental Clerkship in the 3 Majors Rotations over a period of two academic years are as follows:

Clinical Rotations	Stream	Year
1.    Restorative Dentistry	DCP 4A	BDS 4
2. Community Dentistry	DCP 4B	BDS 4
3. Oral Medicine and Oral surgery	DHS 4	BDS 4
4. College Selective 4		BDS 4
5. Restorative Dentistry	DCP 5A	BDS 5
6. Community Dentistry	DCP 5B	BDS 5
7. Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery	DHS 5	BDS 5
8. College Selective 5		BDS 5

Assessment in Phase III (years 4 and 5)

The Phase III assessment consists of a continuous assessment throughout the two integrated years followed by a summative assessment at the end of fifth year. The continuous assessment is derived from the examinations at the end of every dental clerkship rotation. The passing mark for each major clinical rotation is 60%.

Students in BDS 4 must obtain an average of 70% among all clinical rotations to be promoted to BDS 5.

Students are admitted into the final BDS Exit Examination after completing all the clinical schedules, project assignments, elective project reports and passed all clerkship rotations. Students must pass all three major clinical rotations in both theory and clinical components of the examination, and must obtain an average of 70% to be eligible to sit for the Final BDS Exit Examination.

The assessments in all the clinical rotations over the two years will carry 60% marks and the final BDS Exit Examination will carry 40% marks.

The components of the assessment consist of:

I) MCQ examination

II) Short answer question

III) Objective structured practical examination

IV)  Laboratory practical test

V) A written project assignment

Compilation of marks in Dental Clerkship Year

Assessment in BDS4 30%

Assessment in BDS5 30%

Final BDS Exit Examination 40%

The final BDS Examination will be held in May of each year. Students who fail in the final BDS Examination in May will be counseled and allocated to the respective clinical rotations to improve their competencies. They will then resit for the Final BDS Examination in the beginning of the next academic year.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Every student is required to take 24 credit hours of general education courses distributed over six domains. Twelve (12) mandatory credit hours are selected from domains 1, 2, and 3, and twelve (12) elective credit hours selected from domains 4, 5 and 6 as indicated below. Students are advised to finish these courses by the end of year 3 of their study.

Domain 1: Islamic Studies, History and Culture (3 Credits)

0104100

Islamic Culture

3

Domain 2: Languages (6 Credits)

Arabic Language, Literature and Culture: Take one of the following courses

0201102	Arabic Language (for native Arabic speakers)	3
0201105	Arabic Language (for non-native Arabic speakers)	3

English Language, Literature and Culture: Take one of the following courses

0202121

English for Medical Students

3

Domain 3: Information Technology (IT) (3 Credits)

Introduction to IT

3

Domain 4: Literature and Humanities (3 Credits)

0602246	Human Rights in Islam and International Declarations	3
0203102	History of the Arabian Gulf	3
0900107	History of Medical and Health Sciences	3
0710109	Arts and Medicine	3

Domain 5: Applied Sciences, 3 Credits

1430101	Astronomy and Space Sciences	3
0401142	Man and the Environment	3

Domain 6: Social Sciences and Education (3 Credits)

0204102	UAE society	3
0206103	Introduction to Psychology	3
0305110	Introduction to Economics	3
0302120	Introduction to Business Administration	3

Domain 7: one 3-credit hour course from Domain 4, 5, or 6