Dental education options in the UAE continue to expand with the addition of an American-based dental programme at the Gulf Medical University (GMU) in Ajman.
The programme, which has received accreditation from the federal Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, is a five-year predoctoral course that will give graduates a US-recognised Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) qualification.
The programme also includes a mandatory one-year clinical internship after graduation.
“The inspectors who came and approved the programme were from the US and were appointed by the Ministry for Higher Education,” explained Professor Mohammed Arifulla, dean of admissions and registration at GMU.
“They evaluated the programme and it means that once they have taken a licensing exam, graduates will be eligible to practice in the USA should they want to.”
He added: “The response to the inaugural course has been excellent with a full intake and all 35 places are now full.
“The students come from a number of different places. Some are locals, but many are from abroad, either within the Gulf, or from places such as India, Pakistan and Africa.”
Dr Salem Abu Fanas, dean of the dental faculty at nearby Ajman University, said that the addition of dentistry to GMU’s existing medical curriculum was a positive move for dental education in the region.
“Another dental course only serves to improve the country’s reputation as a dental educator,” he said. “We will be happy to offer our support to the GNU.”
Follow us on
