The Faculty of Dentistry is dedicated to educating dental, dental hygiene and graduate students in a progressive learning environment, conducting research in oral health, and serving the community and the oral health professions as a source of knowledge and expertise. The faculty serves as a bridge between the fundamental scientific foundation of the profession and its translation into health care for the public. Dentists enhance and promote the total health of patients through oral health management. Dentists are concerned with promoting oral health and preventing and alleviating the effects of oral diseases and conditions in order to contribute to the well-being of their patients.

The curriculum is designed to ensure that students graduate as competent dentists prepared to meet the oral health care needs of their patients. It provides the knowledge of basic biomedical, behavioural and clinical sciences and biomaterials, the cognitive and behavioural skills, and the professional and ethical values necessary for practice as a dental professional.

Dentistry is a long-standing and respected oral health profession. Students are prepared for professional opportunities worldwide – in private practices as general dentists and specialists, in dental schools as educators, in research, in community-based settings, and in industry. With a variety of career options available to them, dentists experience personal satisfaction as they enhance and promote the total health of their patients and their communities through oral health management.

In a typical workday, general dentists diagnose oral conditions, restore and repair teeth, perform minor oral surgery, relieve pain, prescribe medications, and counsel their patients on prevention and treatment options. As health professionals and team members, well developed organizational and communication skills are critical to successful practice. To continue to provide quality care, dentists must actively pursue professional lifelong learning.