Bachelor of Dentistry

Program Description

Program Overview

Program Teaching Language : English Icon

5 years 10 semesters not including Dental Internship

Faculty and Staff Icon

List of Courses

200 Credit Hours Icon

Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters

Study Plan for the 2023–2024 Academic Year Icon

Study Plan for the 2024–2025 Academic Year

Course Description

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BDS Program Philosophy

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at City University Ajman is grounded in the principles of public protection, ethical practice, and patient-centered care. The program is dedicated to cultivating competent, professional, and socially responsible dental practitioners who deliver safe, effective, and compassionate oral healthcare in accordance with UAE regulatory requirements and international standards.

The educational philosophy is competency-based and outcomes-focused, integrating scientific knowledge, clinical skills, professional behaviors, and ethical judgment. Learning is structured to promote critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, effective communication, and reflective practice, ensuring graduates are prepared for independent and ethical dental practice.

The curriculum is deliberately designed to support progressive competence development through simulation-based learning, supervised clinical education, inter-professional collaboration, and engagement with research and scholarly inquiry. Integrated with appropriate assessment strategies, the curriculum promotes lifelong learning and adaptability in response to evolving dental practices.

Overall, the BDS program reflects City University Ajman’s commitment to educational excellence, continuous improvement, and the preparation of graduates who can meet the oral health needs of the UAE and the broader global community.

Guiding Principles of the BDS Program

The guiding principles are the protection of the public, the demonstration of professionalism and ethical behavior, and the delivery of a competency-based dental education that ensures graduates are safe and practice-ready. These principles emphasize patient-centered and culturally sensitive care, evidence-based decision-making, effective communication, and responsibility to the community. Together, they form a clear framework that guides curriculum design, clinical training, and assessment, ensuring that all students meet the standards required for safe, entry-level dental practice.

BDS Program Vision

To be a nationally, regionally, and internationally recognized leader in dental education, preparing graduates who advance the field of dentistry and contribute meaningfully to improving oral health standards.

BDS Program Mission

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery program at City University Ajman delivers comprehensive dentistry education in the UAE by integrating rigorous academic foundations with essential clinical skills. We aim to produce highly competent graduates who provide compassionate, ethical, patient-centered dental care supported by basic and clinical research. Aligned with regional healthcare needs, the program is committed to fostering professionals equipped to meet the evolving oral health demands of the UAE and beyond.

Degree Requirements

Component	Courses	Credit Hours
General Education	8	24
BDS Courses	69	176
Total	77	200

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BDS Program Objectives

1-Strengthening scientific and foundational knowledge by integrating biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences with ethical research, analytical reasoning, and evidence-based principles for accurate diagnosis, prevention, and treatment in dental practice.

2-Developing clinical competence and patient care excellence through independent, safe, and effective clinical performance that emphasizes patient-centered care, infection control, documentation accuracy, and adherence to professional and legal standards.

3- Promoting professionalism, ethics, and effective communication by fostering integrity, empathy, cultural sensitivity, leadership, and teamwork for ethical, collaborative, and accountable dental practice.

4-Advancing research capability and lifelong learning by engaging in evidence-based inquiry, critical appraisal, and continuous professional development aligned with scientific and technological progress in dentistry.

5-Ensuring comprehensive patient protection, safety, and high-quality care through ethical clinical practice, effective communication, and adherence to evidence-based standards, while promoting community engagement and public health awareness through outreach activities, oral health promotion, and preventive initiatives that address national and regional oral health priorities with social accountability.

6-Upholding quality, safety, and continuous improvement through effective clinical governance, patient protection, and quality assurance processes consistent with national and international accreditation standards in dental education.

Program Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the program, students should be able to:

Knowledge

PLO 1 – K1 Express coherent knowledge, capabilities and limitations of specialization areas in
dentistry.
PLO 2 – K2 Describe the importance of prevention, treatment and management of oral and
dental diseases.
PLO 3 – K3 Use the factual and theoretical knowledge in basic medical and dental sciences
and allied sciences to gather information from patients as part of history taking and
patient examination in order to decide appropriate investigation and decide a
suitable course of treatment within the scope of a general dental practice.
PLO 4 – K4 Identify the integration and importance of the basic medical and allied sciences
such as psychology and behavioral sciences to dentistry.
PLO 5 – K5 Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the fundamental concepts, theories and
principles in research projects and protocols complying with ethical principles.

Skill

PLO 6 – S1 Demonstrate effective technical and analytical skills using evidentiary and
procedural based processes to perform appropriate dental procedures independently
and safely in a general dental practice setting.
PLO 7 – S2 Practice promotion of oral health and prevention of related disorders.
PLO 8 – S3 Demonstrate highly developed communication skills to explain or critique complex
and unpredictable matters related to oral health and disease.
PLO 9 – S4 Demonstrate accurate record keeping and how to source and analyze information
relevant to effective clinical practice.
PLO 10 – S5 Practice ethical, professional and legal responsibilities and display appropriate
attitudes and behavior.
PLO 11 – S6 Evaluate, select and apply appropriate methods of clinical research in relation to
oral health and disease

Competence

Autonomy and Responsibility

PLO 12 – AR1 Show responsibility and independent technical and clinical decision-making to
evaluate and manage complex and unpredictable clinical work appropriate to a
primary care practice.
PLO 13 – AR2 Illustrate adherence to current best practice methods in a mature manner

Role in Context

PLO 14 – RC1 Recognize the importance of appropriate leadership roles, manage and take
accountability of the team involved in patient care.
PLO 15 – RC2 Demonstrate responsibility and supervise the professional activity and
mentoring of allied dental health personnel

Self-development

PLO 16 – SD1 Engage in self-evaluation and professional development apt for general dental
practice or towards specific specialization.
PLO 17 – SD2 Value professional ethics, positive criticism and feedback, and engage in a life-
long learning

Student Health Screening and Vaccination Requirements

Valid Medical Fitness Certificate and complete mandatory health screening before enrolment

Student must submit a valid Medical Fitness Certificate from a licensed healthcare facility confirming medical fitness for academic and clinical activities, normal clinical examination, acceptable vision, required laboratory tests (CBC, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, urine analysis), and documented blood group and Rh factor., to ensure early awareness and timely compliance by all prospective student.

Student Clinic Contact Information

Student Clinic Mobile Contact Number (Appointments and Emergency Calls)

The Student Dental Clinics can be contacted via the dedicated mobile number +971 58 112 7727 for appointment scheduling, urgent inquiries, and emergency communication during clinic operating hours. This contact ensures timely access, effective coordination, and prompt response to patient and student needs.

Career Opportunities for Dental Courses in UAE

Number of private clinics offering dental care has increased significantly since 2017, the table shows growing prominence of specializations for adult and pediatric care.

Dental Research 5%

General Dentistry: Private Practice 30%

General Dentistry: Hospital Dentistry 10%

Prosthodontic 5%

Endodontics 10%

General practitioner treatments for dental issues 25%

Implant Dentistry 10%

Oral surgery 10%

Orthodontics 15%

Periodontics 5%

Pediatric Dentistry 10%

Oral Pathology 2%

Public Health Dentistry 3%