Requirements For Admission To Study Dentistry In Nigeria

This article is basically about requirements for admission to study Dentistry and Dental Surgery in Nigeria.

Are you planning to study dentistry or you want to make a career out of dentistry? Would you like to become a dentist?

If yes, this entire page will attempt to expose you to all the basic things you need to know to study Dentistry.

What Is Dentistry?

Dentistry is a branch of medicine that consist of the study, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of oral cavity, commonly known as the oral mucosa (i.e the mouth, teeth, jaw and their supporting). The dental treatments is carried out by a dentist or by a dental team.

How To Become A Dentist In Nigeria

Dentistry is one of the highly respected professions in Nigeria. But to become a dentist or a dental surgeon is not a joke. You would have to work hard to attain it.

To become a dentist, you must pass through the fore walls of a Nigerian university. Dentistry as a course is offered in many universities for a period of Six, Five or Four years (depending on the school), of which these years will be spent together with the students of Medicine. After having done well, you will be awarded Bachelor of Dental Surgery B.D.S.

However, before you can practice dentistry, you have to be formally inducted and undergo one year of compulsory internship and another year of NYSC, then be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Admission Requirements To Study Dentistry In Nigeria

Candidates who made the basic admission requirements are offered admission into 4 or 5 years programme depending on the mode of entry (UTME or DE).

Although, admission requirements slightly differ in many schools. Here are the basic admission as well as waiver considerations.

UTME Requirements To Study Dentistry In Nigeria

Candidates who wish to gain admission into Dentistry and Dental Surgery in any Nigerian university must have at least Five (5) O’Level Credits passes (WAEC/NECO) in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Some schools accepts a combination of O’Level Results to admission consideration.

JAMB UTME Subject Combination To Study Dentistry In Nigeria

The JAMB UTME Subject combination for Dentistry are English language, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Special Admission Considerations for JAMB UTME Candidates

UNN requires candidates in addition to minimum entry requirements. The entrance candidates are expected to have O’Level Credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in SSCE in not more than one sitting.

UTME Subjects:

PHC, UNN, UNIBEN, UNILAG and OAU requires Physics as the other science subject.
University of Ibadan (UI)- Same as for Medicine and Surgery.

Direct Entry Admission Requirements For Dentistry And dental Surgery

Three A’Level Passes include chemistry, Biology/Zoology and Physics.

Special Admission Considerations For Direct Entry Candidates

UNN requires Direct entry candidates in addition to satisfying the UTME requirements should also have 3 Advanced Level papers in Biology or Zoology, Chemistry and Physics in not more than one sitting. The faculty accepts B.Sc degree in related field of study for admission into the Five (5) Standard programme. Holders of MBBS may be admitted into three year clinical course in dentistry.
University of Ibadan as in Medicine and Surgery.
DELSU and UNILAG accepts B.Sc Degree First Class/Second Class Upper in Medical related fields. Also accepts Three “A” level papers.
PHC – No Direct entry.
UNIBEN accepts B.Sc Biochemistry (Second Class lower) Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing, B.Sc and OND Optometry, B.Pharm or Doctor Pharmacy.
OAU accepts Sc. with minimum of Second Class Honours in Relevant discipline (Sciences).

Universities That Offers Dentistry And Dental Surgery In Nigeria

Dentistry and Dental surgery can be studied under the faculty of medical, Pharmaceutical & Health Sciences in the following Nigerian universities.

At the time of updating this information, 11 universities offers Dentistry and Dental Surgery at full-time in Nigeria. Here are the schools below.

University of Jos- UNIJOS
University of Calabar- UNICAL
Bayero University- BUK
University of Port Harcourt- UNIPORT
University of Benin- UNIBEN
University of Ibadan- UI
University of Lagos- UNILAG
Lagos State University- LASU
University of Maiduguri- UNIMAID
Obafemi Awolowo University- OAU
University of Nigeria Nsukka-UNN

Recommended links:

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Easy Ways to Become a Dentist in Nigeria – A Simple Guide

UTME JAMB Subject Combination For Medicine and Surgery

University Of Ibadan College Of Medicine Admission Requirements

ABU Zaria Medicine Courses, Admission, Fees

School Fees To Study Dentistry And Dental Surgery In Nigeria

The school fees to study Dentistry varies from school to schools. It’s usually cheaper in Federal Universities as ones mentioned above, slightly costly in State universities and more costlier in Private Universities.

However, current school fees for school of Dentistry in Nigerian universities have recently increased. Therefore you may need to check the school websites for their school gees updates.

Bayero Universiry Kano, BUK, accepts N170,000 for Freshers who are to study Dentistry and dental surgery.
Obafemi Awolowo university, OAU, accepts N82,700 for freshers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I become a dental surgeon in Nigeria?
Becoming a dentist in Nigeria is not a process that happens suddenly. Basically, a degree from a recognised dental school is required to practice dentistry. Depending on which dental school they attend, general dentists often earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery(DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine(DMD) degree.

How many years does it take to study dentistry and Dental Surgery in Nigeria?
6-year
The dental degree in Nigeria is a bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) degree. It’s a 6-year program that doesn’t require an undergraduate degree.

What is the hardest field in dentistry?
Some of the hardest classes at dental school include oral surgery, periodontics, and prosthodontics, classes that require– once again– both a firm medical background knowledge and excellent motor skills.

How much does a dentist earn monthly in Nigeria?
Dentist in Lagos Salaries:

Lagos state government pays N200,000 monthly

Lagos state Private hospitals pay between N198 and N250,000 monthly.

How much does a dental surgery technician earn in Nigeria?
The majority of Medical and dental prosthetic technicians earn a salary between ₦19,158 and ₦79,830 per month in 2023. A monthly wage for entry-level Medical and dental prosthetic technicians ranges from ₦19,158 to ₦58,197.

Where is the highest demand for dentists?
Speaking of demand for dentists, apart from US, the UK, Australia & Canada are some of the countries with the highest demand for dentists. Among the active dental professionals, a notable 21.1% indicated their involvement in an ADA-recognized specialty, whether in the spheres of practice, research, or administration.

In Conclusion:

Do you want to make a career out of dentistry? This entire page has exposed you to all the basic things you need to know to study Dentistry.

Share this article with friends and colleague who share same ambition to study dentistry and dental surgery.

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