Do you like working with your hands and have a passion for helping people? Always been fascinated with oral health? You are excellent and interested in your science subjects at school and a keen interest in science and the human body? Do you want a diverse and challenging degree? If so, Dentistry could be the right course for you!
Dentistry is a rewarding career path but many students have unrealistic perceptions of being a dentist and what oral health comprises of. Being a dentist is more than preventing cavities and healthy gums. Dentistry relates to diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and conditions in the mouth. The practice of Dentistry helps to restore and maintain the oral health of a person. A person’s oral health condition can give you lots of clues about your overall health, in addition to impacting your overall wellness. Research shows that poor oral health can be linked to heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, low birth weight, and premature births.
Dentists play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, from performing dental surgeries, straightening teeth, administering anaesthetics, prescribing medication, to conducting research resulting in better medication and medical practices for the public. Being part of the dental profession, you will have the opportunity to provide direct patient care, teach, conduct research, or work in public health or international health. All dental professionals are the vital links in the health care delivery system, necessary to promote social and economic change as well as individual wellbeing.
In the field of Dentistry, you can either be a General Practitioner (GP) or a Dental Specialist. A General Practitioner (GP) is a general dentist that provides services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and oral health. Whereas Dental Specialists, on the other hand, have in-depth knowledge in a particular field of Dentistry. Some of the major fields of specialisation in Malaysia are Oral Surgery (relates to dental implant surgeries and treatment of facial injuries through reconstructive surgery), Orthodontics (prevents and corrects irregularities of the jaws, teeth and bite), Paediatric Dentistry (relates to oral healthcare of infants, children and adolescents), Periodontology (relates to the supporting structures of the teeth, namely gums and surrounding bone), Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology (investigates the causes and effects of oral diseases through lab examinations), Dental Public Health (relates to oral healthcare for the community), and Restorative Dentistry (ensures healthy and pain-free teeth development, especially for patients with complex problems).
SEGi University offers a 5-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme, fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) and its Malaysian graduates are fully registrable with the Malaysian Dental Council, aims to produce competent, caring, and knowledgeable dental practitioners. The dynamic programme’s curriculum is delivered with a problem-based learning approach, with an emphasis on contextual learning of relevant scientific information. The curriculum also reflects how students will be expected to identify and address clinical problems, placing a higher emphasis on delivery through engagement with the students.
“Here at SEGi University, our Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduates will not only fulfil the nation needs but they are also highly trained skilled graduates with the technical know-how in medical sciences technology and knowledge. Upon completion of the programme, SEGi University will produce students with skills and talents in diagnostic, analytical, managerial and research competencies,” shared Datuk Associate Professor Dr. Khairiyah Abd Muttalib, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, SEGi University.
SEGi University’s Faculty of Dentistry has developed partnerships and collaborations with international universities which include Health Sciences University Hokkaido (HSUH), Japan and Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences (CIDS), India increasing the options for cross border sharing of knowledge, academic information, learning and teaching experience, and research between the universities, which ultimately benefit the society of each countries.
In addition, students are being trained in fully equipped and functioning dental clinic and in-house dental professionals and aides, giving them hands-on practical training, exposing them to real-life work experience as part of a dental team and dealing with patients. These training are done in SEGi Oral Health Care Centre, which is open to the public, and is designed to meet industry standards and is monitored by various agencies. It is a teaching facility that ensures students have hands-on training to develop the necessary skills and aptitude. It is equipped with modern clinical facilities and laboratories and provides student-centric teaching methods, letting the students learn by treating patients from members of the public under the close supervision of experienced and skilled lecturers.
If you are ready to make a difference and Dentistry is for you, grab your opportunity and log on to www.segi.edu.my, or call 03-6145 1777 or WhatsApp 011-1210 6389. Alternatively, speak to our counsellors to learn more about the courses and workshops available at SEGi University.