Dentistry in recent times offers rewarding career opportunities. Dental disorders have become a common problem among all sections of the society. With advancement in science and technologies, the treatment procedures have become specialized. Thus, the profession is both demanding and remunerative, drawing new aspirations to the profession. Dentistry is a professional field which includes dental care and correction. Dentists are concerned with all health problems afflicting the mouth, teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Technically dentistry is defined “as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law”.
Ordinary diploma in clinical dentistry
The Ordinary Diploma programme in Clinical Dentistry is developed to suit the needs of the Government’s commitment to improve health care provision, labour market demands, legal and professional needs that exist in our country. It is one of the initiatives by the Government to modernize qualifications within the health sector and optimize transferability within and across sectors and disciplines.
Ordinary diploma in clinical dentistry Entry requirements
Holders of Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) with four (4) Passes in non-religious Subjects including credit “C” pass in Biology and “D” passes in Chemistry, Physics/Engineering Sciences, English Language and Basic Mathematics can apply for diploma in clinical dentistry
Bachelor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Based on the performance in the entrance examination he/she will be offered a seat in dentistry programmes i.e. Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at the undergraduate level. This course is of four years duration. After successful completion of the course, he/she will be recognized as a qualified dental surgeon. BDS must be done from a college whose courses are recognized by the Dental Council of Tanzania (DCI). The Dental Council of Tanzania is the recognizing apex body for dental sciences education in Tanzania.
Internship
After the completion of the four years of study, the student has to complete at least a year of internship. During the internship, the student uses the knowledge and the skills acquired in treating the patients. Students can work with a senior dentist to acquire practical skills.
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Entry Requirements
Three principal passes in Physics, Chemistry and Biology with minimum entry of 6 points; i.e. an applicant must have at least D grade in Chemistry, Biology and Physics
Dental Colleges in Tanzania
Since a career in Dental Surgery and affiliated streams are gaining popularity day by day, students are giving more attention to these courses. They want to get admitted to Top Dental Colleges in Tanzania but don’t know how to choose the best one. As the college brand is the most important factor while choosing a college, we made a fair list of all the Dental Colleges in Tanzania.
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Colleges in Tanzania vyuo vya dental Tanzania
- State University of Zanzibar (SUZA)
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)
Ordinary diploma in clinical dentistry Colleges in Tanzania vyuo vya dental Tanzania
- Bulongwa Health Sciences Institute – Private – Fbo
- Kam College of Health Sciences – Private
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences – Government
- Primary Health Care Institute – Government
- Tanga College of Health and Allied Sciences – Government
Career opportunity
After graduation, the student is qualified to practice as a doctor, but there is a need to continuously upgrade skills with continued education. The options before you are to start your own private practice but for this you need both capital and experience, another option is to work as an associate with a senior dentist.
You can work in a hospital; here one is associated with a complete dental hospital or the dental fraternity of a medical hospital. The experience gained, however, depends on the kind and the inflow of the patient.
The armed forces are another job option. The opportunity with the armed forces is attractive and provides you to serve the country with commitment and dedication. The service can be short lived or for a lifetime, depending upon your performance and personal choice
I wish to enroll for a Doctor of Dental Surgery program . I hold a Diploma in Dental Therapy from the University of Botswana Institute of Health Sciences acquired in 2004 and completed my O’ Level in 1998. I have been working for the Botswana Government in the Ministry of Health as a dental therapist since 2004. I therefore request for information that may assist in admission to the program as an international student (i. e. online application process, fees etc).
Thank you.