The University of Dental Medicine, Yangon ( is the leading university of dental medicine, located in Yangon, Myanmar. The university, along with the University of Dental Medicine, Mandalay, is one of only two universities of dental medicine in the country. The annual intake into both dental universities used to be 300 but from 2017 the annual intake for each university has been decreased to only 100. The country with a population of over 50 million had only about 1,500 dentists in 2005.
History The dental school's origins trace back to the Faculty of Medicine of Rangoon University. In 1964, the College of Dental Medicine became independent per the University Act of 1964, and was located near the Lanmadaw campus of then Institute of Medicine 1. The college turned out 50 to 60 dental doctors with Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degrees. In 1974, the college was upgraded into the Institute of Dental Medicine. Until 1998, when the Institute of Dental Medicine, Mandalay was opened, it was the only institution of dental medicine in the country.
Programs The university offers bachelor's (BDS), master's (MDSc), and doctorate (DrDSc) programs as well as graduate diplomas in dental science (DipDSc) and dental technology (DDT). The first PhD program of Oral Biological Science was opened in 2011.
Coursework The B.D.S. coursework extends six years.
Year Duration First B.D.S. 1 year Second B.D.S. 1 year Third B.D.S. 1 year Fourth B.D.S. 1 year Final B.D.S. 1 year House Surgeon 1 year Total 6 years
Subjects First B.D.S. Myanmar English Mathematics and Statistics Physics Chemistry Botany Zoology
Second B.D.S. Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry Oral Biological Science
Third B.D.S. Pathology Microbiology Pharmacology Conservative Dentistry (Junior Operative Course) Prosthodontics (Dental Material Science and Basic Prosthodontics)
Fourth B.D.S. part I General Medicine General Surgery Clinical Dentistry I (Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine) Clinical Dentistry II (Periodontology, PCD, PSM) Clinical Dentistry III (Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics) Conservative Dentistry Prosthodontics
Final B.D.S. part II Oral Medicine Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Orthodontics Paedodontics Prosthodontics Conservative Dentistry Preventive and Community Dentistry Periodontology
House Surgeon training All students, after a successful completion of Final B.D.S. Examination, continue on to hands-on training for a period of 5 months as house surgeons in the recognized teaching hospitals. Only after the completion of house-surgeonship, is the student awarded the B.D.S. degree.
Leadership The University of Dental Medicine, Yangon has been headed by an academic dean known as a rector. Aung Than (1964–1983) Khin Maung Lay (1983–1992) Htay Saung (1993–1995) Myint Naing (1995–1997) Paing Soe (1997–2003) Ba Myint (2004–2007) Myo Win (2008–2012) Thein Kyu (2012–2015) Shwe Toe (2015–2025) Kyaw Thiha (2025–present)
Alumni Thein Kyu Zarganar
References
External links Myanmar Dental Association International College of Dentists, Section XIV Myanmar International Association for Dental Research