Faculty History

The history of dental education in Manitoba is closely allied with that of the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA). As far back as 1896, the MDA was asked to investigate the feasibility of establishing a course of lectures in dentistry.

Nothing concrete emerged from recommendations until 1956, when the provincial government requested a report "concerning the establishment of a School of Dentistry in Manitoba." The following year, acting upon recommendations of the report, the government allocated funds to establish and maintain a Faculty of Dentistry as a part of the University of Manitoba. Dr. John W. Neilson was appointed first Dean.

Although the new building was not ready until 1959, the first class was accepted in September 1958; space was provided within the facilities of the Faculty of Medicine.

In February of 1962, the Faculty was placed on the list of formally approved dental schools and colleges of Canada and the United States. In March 1964, the Faculty was voted full membership in the American Association of Dental Schools.

The School of Dental Hygiene was established in 1962, and formal instruction within the Faculty commenced in September 1963.

Since its inception, the Faculty has devoted much time and space to research and with this activity came the development of graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees, both of which are awarded in the basic science areas.

Another floor was added to the Faculty of Dentistry Building in 1967-68. This floor provided additional space devoted almost entirely to graduate study and research, in both the clinical and basic sciences.

Major renovations and a 10,000 square foot addition to the Faculty of Dentistry Building were carried out in 1989-90. Major improvements which resulted from this construction were: expanded and modernized undergraduate and graduate clinical facilities; installation of centralized sterilization facilities; enlarged and upgraded student clinical laboratories; locker/lounge areas; patient reception/waiting room; the addition of a 70-seat lecture theatre; upgrading of research laboratories and construction of new academic office accommodation.

In 2001, a state-of-the-art pre-clinical simulation laboratory was installed in the Faculty of Dentistry Building replacing the facility installed in 1959. The new laboratory closely mimics the real world physical environment of dental practitioners. It will be an integral part of the pre-clinical teaching program, and a valuable resource for continuing education and remediation.