NUS Bulletin AY2024/25

For admission as a candidate to the course leading to the degree of Master of Dental Surgery, the candidate must possess

• A basic dental degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent);
• At least two years full-time clinical experience in general dentistry after graduation (excluding internship);
• International applicants must complete the TOEFL or IELTS.  The minimum acceptable scores are: TOEFL score – 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based), 92 (internet-based) & above or IELTS – 7;
• Application for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontics: Have a pass in the Part 1 MDS Examination or equivalent.  Candidates without a pass in the Part I MDS Examination may apply for admission and be considered for candidature on the condition of passing the Part 1 MDS Examination or equivalent prior to the commencement of the interview.

The Part I MDS examination is based on aspects of anatomy, dental anatomy and histology, physiology, pathology and microbiology that demonstrate the fundamental principles and processes, and their clinical application. Candidates are required to demonstrate an appreciation of the integration of these subjects.
http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/DGDS/dgds_course_part1.htm

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed and may be required to take a manual dexterity test.

Health Requirements

In accordance with Ministry of Health requirements, all students seeking admission to local medical, dental, dental hygiene and therapy, nursing and paramedic courses must undergo screening for the Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV viruses.

Candidates who are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV carriers are not eligible for admission to Dentistry. In addition, all candidates are required to demonstrate immunity to Hepatitis B. In the event that they remain non-immune despite repeat vaccinations, it is in their interest to reconsider their career choice as their future career options in healthcare may be limited.

NUS reserves the right to retest any or all of its new dental undergraduates for any or all markers of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV viruses, and exclude any candidate tested positive for any of these viruses 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.

Candidates who have been admitted to the three-year full-time clinical residency training programme will be conferred the Degree of Master of Dental Surgery upon fulfilment of the following requirements:

• Complete the curriculum for the respective three-year residency training programme;
• Pass the Final M.D.S. Examination in the respective specialised disciplines;
• Undertake a research project and publish a dissertation as a partial fulfilment for the award of a Master of Dental Surgery degree;
• Participate in 20 hours of continuing education per year (i.e., 60 hours within three years of study);
• Read the “SSM1205 The Nation’s Health: Lesson from SARS” e-module (for foreign students only)

Final MDS Examinations

Final MDS. Examination in Endodontics

Candidates should have a good knowledge of basic sciences as applied to the principles and practice of endodontics; embryology, histology, physiology and pathophysiology of the pulpal/periradicular complex; pulpal and periapical pathosis; interception and prevention of pulpal disease; radiographic interpretation and microbiology; differential diagnosis of orofacial pain and control of pain of pulpal and periapical origin; pharmacodynamics; dental materials as related to endodontics; bleaching; endodontic surgery and management of problem cases; a good approach in diagnosis and treatment planning; be proficient in providing endodontic treatment and emergency treatment for all teeth; be effectively interfaced with other disciplines like periodontics, prosthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery, so as to provide multidisciplinary care and management.

Final MDS Examination in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Candidates should have a detailed knowledge of the principles and practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery and surgical pathology; the diagnosis and treatment of aberrations of development and growth affecting the teeth and jaws; orofacial infection; cysts, neoplasms, bone dysplasias and other general diseases affecting the jaws, disorders of the temporomandibular joints; diseases of the maxillary sinus related to oral surgery; infections of the salivary glands; and maxillofacial injuries.

Candidates should also have a general knowledge of the principles and practice of general surgery and medicine related to the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Final MDS Examination in Orthodontics

Candidates should be familiar with the basic sciences as applied to all aspects of the theory and practice of orthodontics; growth and development of the face, jaws and dentition including the longitudinal management of developing dental and occlusal anomalies in the growing child; aetiology and malocclusion including the principles and practice of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedic treatment; principles of cephalometry (including computer processing) and other biometric methods in orthodontics; principles of surgical techniques in the management of dentoalveolar anomalies and the correction of dentofacial deformity; cleft lip/palate development and management, material science as applied to orthodontics, concepts of occlusion and temporomandibular joint dysfunction as related to orthodontics; technical aspects related to laboratory work, principles of biostatistics; and orthodontic interrelationships in periodontology, prosthodontics and restorative dentistry.

Final MDS Examination in Prosthodontics

Candidates should have had basic science education as a foundation for clinical and technical skills; be competent in diagnosis, planning and treatment of patients with exceptional prosthodontics problems; be proficient in laboratory technical skills sufficient to evaluate technical work, communicate effectively with technicians and be able to train others in these skills; be effectively interfaced with other specialties and disciplines in the care of patients requiring interdisciplinary therapy.

Final MDS Examination in Periodontology

Candidates should have a good working knowledge in the various areas of the biological sciences that relate to the theory and practice of Periodontology including implant dentistry. These would include:  basic sciences of the anatomy and physiology of the periodontium, periodontal wound healing, microbiology, immunology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease; competence in diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical and non-surgical management of patients with a range of periodontal disease problems; maintenance and control of periodontal disease including medically compromised patients and patients with special needs; sound concepts on the periodontal interrelationships with restorative dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery/oral medicine, medical sciences and be able to interface effectively with colleagues in these clinical disciplines as an integral component of comprehensive patient care;  understand the basic principles of research methodology and be able to carry out a research project independently.

Final MDS Examination in Paediatric Dentistry

Candidates should have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the basic and clinical science foundation for paediatric dental treatment and to use this to perform evidence-based clinical care; be proficient in all aspects of dentistry for children and adolescents including those with special health care needs (i.e.,  medically, mentally, physically, socially or behaviourally disadvantaged; diagnosis and management of paediatric orofacial trauma; diagnosis of mucosal, soft and hard tissue pathology occurring in and around the mouth from birth through adolescence; diagnosis and management of the oral manifestations of systemic diseases in the child patient; recognition and diagnosis of orthodontic problems in the developing occlusion; should be proficient to plan and deliver interceptive orthodontic intervention in the primary and mixed dentition using removable or simple fixed appliances including space maintainers; the design and conduct of research studies.

For details on the MDS programmes, please visit http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/GDS/GDS_MDSresidency.html

For admission to the part-time two-year Graduate Diploma (Advanced General Dentistry) programme, the candidate must have:

• A recognised basic dental degree
• Minimum five years of postgraduate clinical experience (candidate must be able to demonstrate appropriate baseline knowledge and skills in oral surgery and restorative dentistry and preferably have access to direct patient care)

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview, which will be conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry.

* Admission is offered only to dentists practicing in Singapore.

Candidates who have been admitted to the programme will be conferred the Graduate Diploma (Dental Implantology) upon fulfilment of the following requirements:

• complete all didactic and clinical requirements of the programme, including the presentation and completion of ten cases;
• pass all the necessary prescribed assessments and the Final Examination

For Graduate Diploma programmes, please visit http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/CADE/CADE_grad_diploma.html for more details.

The ageing population is an area of increasing focus for healthcare professionals. Oral health is an important part of the older adult’s overall health and wellbeing.  It contributes towards effective chewing, healthy nutrition, speech, social confidence and better cognitive and functional capacity in the elderly.  The burden of oral disease in old age is high.  This is further complicated by co-existing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dementia and polypharmacy.

The Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry is specially designed for dental surgeons to receive additional training to deliver evidence-informed care to the elderly.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma, graduates will be able to

• Deepen their understanding of the epidemiology of medical and dental conditions which can impact geriatric oral health;
• Appreciate the influence of psychosocial determinants of health, oral health and oral health care among the elderly;
• Understand the impact of public health policy on the delivery of oral health care to older adults;
• Deliver holistic patient-centric oral health care to older adults in a variety of settings including primary care and ILTC;
• Diagnose, formulate patient-centric treatment plans and competently perform evidence-informed treatment and prevention procedures for older adults to address their oral health needs and associated medical conditions as well as
• Improve the oral health of the older adult population through individual patient care and public health advocacy.

Entry Requirements

Candidates will be eligible to be considered for admission if he/she has

1. a recognised basic dental degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery or its equivalent as approved by the Faculty of Dentistry);
2. at least two years full-time clinical experience (which could include internship) after graduation with a basic dental degree;
3. completed the TOEFL or IELTS if the native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English. The minimum acceptable scores are: TOEFL score: 580 (paper-based); 237 (compute-based); 92 (Internet-based) and above or IELTS score: 7 and above and not lower than 6.5 for each of the 4 IELTS components.

NOTE: At present, the course is offered only to dentists practicing in Singapore.

Other Requirements

Candidates need to fulfil the following in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s requirements:

1. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) – All prospective students must be tested HBsAg negative. Those tested negative but not immune will be required to be immunised within a month from the date of screening.
2. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) (Chickenpox) - All prospective students must undergo screening for immunity to VZV. Those tested negative for VZV immunity will be required to be immunised within one month from the date of screening.
3. Rubella Virus - All prospective students must undergo screening for immunity to the Rubella Virus. Those tested negative for Rubella immunity will be required to be immunised within one month from the date of screening.

Candidates must possess current malpractice insurance.

Course Brochure

Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry Brochure

For Graduate Diploma programmes, please visit http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/CADE/CADE_grad_diploma.html for more details.