International Medical University

Overview of Bachelor of Dental Surgery in International Medical University Malaysia

ABOUT THE DENTISTRY DEGREE

Oral health is a window into your health. In fact, researchers have discovered that an unhealthy mouth (especially the gums) may increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetic complications and preterm labour.

Hence, the care that dentists provide greatly improves the quality of patients’ lives. Besides filling and pulling out teeth, the dentists’ tasks include restoring function to badly decayed, broken or infected teeth, replacing missing teeth with dentures, bridges or implant-supported prostheses, treatment of oral diseases such as inflammatory diseases of gum and supporting tissues, destructive diseases such as cancer of the oral tissues, and the aligning and straightening of teeth.

As our smiles are a reflection of our emotional wellbeing, dentists also serve to enhance patients’ confidence and self-esteem.

Dentistry is a challenging career choice. However, as dentists are generally not required to be on call or make house calls, dentists have an easier task of juggling career, family and personal priorities.

The IMU Dentistry programme offers a choice of 2 tracks. Students can opt to undertake the entire 5-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in IMU or spend the initial years in IMU and then transfer to reputable universities abroad. For the latter option, students will receive the degree from the respective partner university.

CAREER PATHWAYS

WHY STUDY DENTISTRY AT IMU

An Established Private Healthcare University

IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and healthcare university with over 28 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education. IMU achieved the SETARA-2017 Tier 6 status (Outstanding) under the Mature University category.

Build Your Future Healthcare Professional Network

As IMU offers the widest range of healthcare programmes, our students are fully immersed in a vibrant community of students and practitioners from all healthcare fields. This allows for the development of strong friendship amongst peers that will be the foundation of an extensive healthcare professional network upon graduation.

Curriculum Benchmarked to International Standards

IMU’s Dental curriculum has been developed to meet high international standards and is accepted by international partner universities for credit transfer of the Phase 1 of their Dentistry programme.

Better Preparation for a Career as a Dentist

With early exposure to the clinical environment in Semester 1 and treatment of patients from Year 2, students are better prepared through student-centred learning activities and competency tests for patient care and compulsory service.

Taught by Well-Qualified Staff at World-Class Facilities

Students are taught by qualified, competent professionals with over 10 years of academic experience. Learning environments include the IMU Dental Skills Centre and Oral Health Centre, both of which are equipped with new technologies for interactive learning, skills development and patient education, promoting pleasant and safe patient care.

Entry Requirement of Bachelor of Dental Surgery in International Medical University Malaysia

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

# The duration of this programme must be a minimum of 1 year in the same accredited institution and foundation in other disciplines are accepted.

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE

• Foundation in Science qualifications from other higher education institutions will be considered on a case by case basis for admission into the local IMU programmes.

• Students with IMU Foundation in Science can apply into IMU programmes and programmes with selected credit transfer options, upon meeting the entry requirement eligibility. ** (Please refer to IMU Foundation in Science brochure for more details)

FOR ADMISSIONS INTO THE IMU FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE PROGRAMME, STUDENTS WILL NEED TO HAVE:

• Pass SPM / O-Levels with minimum 5 credits in Mathematics, 2 Science subjects and 2 other subjects.
  Note: Specific SPM / O-Levels requirements may be needed for admissions into IMU programmes.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

*  ONLY applicable for those who are completing the entire degree at IMU, Malaysia.

Partner Universities of Bachelor of Dental Surgery in International Medical University Malaysia

COURSE DURATION

Matching Process for Students Going to Partner Dental Schools (PDS) Abroad

The matching process is carried out early in the fifth semester. It is computerised and completely impartial. The students state their choice of PDS in strict order of preference. The PDS also rank the students based on their academic performance, student attributes and involvement in co-curricular activities. The computerised programme gives 5 times greater weighting to the students’ choice over the PDS ranking of students. Applicants who are citizens from countries where the IMU’s Partner Dental Schools (PDS) are located will not be eligible to apply for admission into the IMU-PDS option. These countries are Australia, Canada, New Zealand and United Kingdom. However, applicants may apply to the IMU option in Malaysia.

Applicants with a PR status in any of the countries mentioned above may apply for the IMU-PDS option, but the choice of PDS will be restricted as follows:

PR holders of Australia or New Zealand will not be matched to any of the PDS in Australia or New Zealand.

PR holders of Canada will not be matched to any of the PDS in Canada.

PR holders of the United Kingdom will not be matched to any of the PDS in the United Kingdom.

Students with citizenship and permanent resident status in Australia are advised to check with the Department of Admission & Student Affairs on their eligibility to apply. Students with Permanent Residence Status in the following countries cannot be matched for admission into the following Partner Dental Schools:

PR status cannot be matched to Australia

• University of Adelaide, Australia

• University of Otago, New Zealand

* The list of Partner Dental Schools is subject to change from time to time.

PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

As an assurance of a total commitment towards quality education in dentistry, the IMU maintains its relationship with many partner universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and United Kingdom.

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

United Kingdom

Australia

Canada

New Zealand

United Kingdom

FAQ of Bachelor of Dental Surgery in International Medical University Malaysia

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why choose this programme?

The dental programme focused on excellence committed to meeting international standards. The education programme is planned to provide a choice of 2 tracks for the dental student. The first track is implemented jointly by the IMU, Malaysia, in collaboration with English speaking overseas universities (Partner Universities), with the students spending the first phase (5 semesters) in Malaysia and the later years in the partner universities. On successful completion, the students will receive the degree from the respective Partner University. The second track is the student will spend the full 5 years of the undergraduate programme in IMU and receive the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from IMU.

A student-centred approach is adopted in which the needs of the individual students are met, and they are supported by the use of study guides. Active learning methods are used including problem-based learning, e-learning, role play, self-directed learning and community-based education.

What is the structure of the programme?

Semester contents are available in the programme brochure [Download Brochure]

What are the aims and key features of the programme?

The aim of the dental programme in the International Medical University is to produce graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes for competent dental practice. The key features are:-

• Innovative curriculum with an integrated approach

• Outcome-based education

• Technology-based learning

• Highly qualified and experienced staff

• Well-equipped dental simulation and technique laboratories

• Dental clinics equipped with digital radiography and electronic patient management systems to operate in a “paperless” environment

• Practice of close-support dentistry

• Well-equipped learning resources

• Mentoring of students by staff

What is the duration of the programme?

Please refer to Partner Dental Schools (PDS) Enrolment.

What are the semester contents?

Semester contents are available in the programme brochure [Download Brochure]

What are the teaching-learning approaches used?

A wide variety of teaching-learning approaches are employed in the dental programme to provide a stimulating environment for learning. These include lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), practical classes, patient simulation practicals, clinical skills sessions, e-learning, independent learning, clinical dental treatment of patients and postings to various hospitals and clinics.

The students will be learning together with the medical students for common subjects such as Foundation and Medical Science courses which will promote interprofessional understanding and working relationships.

When do students get clinical exposure?

The students will have early exposure to the clinical environment right from Year 1 and will start treating patients from Year 2 after passing some defined competency tests.

How do students select a Partner Dental School (PDS) and when is the selection made?

At the beginning of Semester 5, students will provide their choices of dental schools in order of preference. A matching exercise will be carried out through a computer matching programme specially designed to take into primary consideration the students’ choices as well as requirements set by the PDS to provide the closest match to the students’ choice of PDS.

What is the medium of instruction?

The medium of instruction is English. Students who come from a system of education in which the medium of instruction is not English are strongly recommended to improve their proficiency in English by making their own arrangements to attend additional English Language classes before entering the IMU.

Who will award the degree?

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree is awarded by IMU to students who have successfully completed the full dental programme of 5 years in IMU. The Partner Dental Schools will award their respective degrees to students who transfer to their schools. Degrees from these schools are recognised internationally as well as locally by the Malaysian Dental Council for full registration.

What sort of jobs/careers can be undertaken with this degree?

What personality traits are best suited for a career in dentistry?

Dentists should have good health, manual dexterity, a methodical and scientific approach, ability to establish easy relationships quickly with people of all ages, ability to infuse confidence in nervous patients, especially children, organising ability and ability to work in a team.

When do I attend a student interview?

All students applying for the dental programme and have pre-university qualifications that meet IMU’s minimum requirements have to attend an interview. The interview is to gauge the students’ aptitude and motivation for pursuing a career in Dentistry as well as communication skills in English. Students will be informed of the date and time of interview after the application form and all other necessary documents are received by the IMU.