A Guide to Dental Schools Recognised in Singapore: Australia, UK, and Ireland

Dentists are a highly-respected profession worldwide. It is a key branch of medicine that covers more than just teeth maintenance - it also includes the correction of orofacial structures and treatment of oral diseases. As a fulfilling and lucrative career, dental students are able to transform their patients’ lives, choose from various career pathways, and earn an impressive salary after graduation. 

However, a dental degree can be challenging due to its rigorous nature. Additionally, if you’re thinking of studying dentistry overseas, there are also a few things to consider as not all dental schools are recognised by the Singapore government! In this article, we’ll discuss the top dental schools recognised by Singapore and the various pathways for a dental licence.

A Dental Education Abroad

Even though dental degrees are offered in Singapore, there are still merits to studying abroad. Mainly, you get the invaluable opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and learn diverse perspectives about oral health. You’ll also be exposed to a variety of practical clinical experiences and observe a unique standard of advanced dental procedures and technology.

Some countries such as the UK and Canada may even offer attractive career prospects due to a shortage of dentists. As such, studying at an internationally recognised dental school in such countries can prove advantageous!

Australian Dental Schools recognised by the Singapore Dental Council

Australia’s thriving healthcare sector is a hotspot for prospective dental students. Equipped with world-class facilities and technologies, Australian dental schools confer internationally recognised degrees. Students receive practical industry-leading training and diverse career options post-graduation. 

Furthermore, for international students interested in permanent residency, there are multiple immigration pathways open for dentists. Interested graduates are required to register with the Dental Board of Australia upon graduation, and renew their registration each year. To ensure that dental practitioners continue to provide high-quality care in Australia, they are also required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities over a three-year cycle.

Here are the five Australian dental schools recognised in Singapore:

An Australian dental degree will typically take five to seven years to complete. Students have the option of studying a Bachelor of Dental Surgery/Science in five years, or enrolling in a four year postgraduate Dental degree after completing an eligible Bachelors. Alternatively, University of Sydney offers a double degree of Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Dental Medicine over seven years. Under this pathway, students have the opportunity to build a strong mastery of the scientific fundamentals that underpin dentistry during their bachelor’s.

Exemplary academic results are important in your application. You won’t receive an ATAR score as an international applicant, but your prior academic results can be converted for comparison. Your admissions test scores like the UCAT and ISAT are also key in their consideration!

Interviews can also be conducted to assess your candidacy and it can be in the form of a panel or a multiple mini interview (MMI). During an MMI, the applicant rotates between four to ten stations as part of the interview, completing a series of short assessments at each station. Your soft skills, motivation, personal qualities, and understanding of dentistry are some aspects you can expect to be assessed on.

Before your interview, it’s important to keep abreast of the latest dentistry and healthcare trends, standards and guidelines, and knowledge of the dental school. Be sure to regularly check the respective university’s website as the application deadlines defer.

UK Dental Schools recognised by the Singapore Dental Council

The UK’s world class education system is an extraordinary platform for academic and personal development. It is widely reputed for its top notch dental education, exposing students to cutting-edge technology and enriching cultural experiences. UK dental schools also emphasise the importance of research, offering ample research projects and opportunities for passionate students. Equipped with a deeper understanding of dental science and the necessary expertise to excel, UK dental graduates are highly sought after worldwide.

If you intend to practise dentistry in the UK after graduation, you are required to register with the General Dental Council. Similar to Australia, dental professionals are also required to undertake CPD activities over a five year cycle.

Here are the UK dental schools recognised in Singapore:

A Bachelor of Dental Surgery in the UK is typically five years long with similar entry requirements across the board. To increase diversity and accessibility, some universities even offer contextual admissions for eligible students. They are essentially offers with reduced entry requirements for applicants who have faced different challenges during their academic journey.

Prospective dental students should submit their applications through UCAS by 16th October. Like Australia, applicants are typically required to sit for the UCAT before being considered for an admissions interview.

UK dental students benefit from their school’s diverse partnerships and collaborations with the local community. Most UK universities partner with various local specialty clinics, outreach centres, and community health centres, to develop their clinical experience and expose their students to comprehensive patient care.

Additionally, institutions like the University of Leeds are one of the few dental schools in the UK where the entire dental team (dentists, hygienists, and nurses) is educated together. In fact, the first year of Dental Surgery is taught alongside the first year Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy courses to foster a community of learning and collaboration.

To broaden your learning, many UK dental schools like the University of Manchester and the University of Bristol offer students the opportunity to study for an intercalated degree. Students are encouraged to take this opportunity to enrich their personal and professional development, by studying a separate subject in-depth and attain an additional degree in one year. In the UK, the amount of learning opportunities is unparalleled.

Irish Dental Schools recognised by the Singapore Dental Council

Ireland’s excellent educational infrastructure is well-reputed for educating students from all over the world. Producing world-class medical professionals, Irish-trained dentists hold leading positions in top medical institutes worldwide. In fact, Irish graduates cultivate superb communication and critical thinking abilities through extensive and diverse clinical exposure early in their education which is vital when practising dentistry.

After graduation, dental graduates are required to register with the Dental Council of Ireland before being able to practise in Ireland.

Here are the Irish dental schools recognised in Singapore:

These five-year programmes are based on an integrated curriculum of modern pre-clinical and clinical subjects. Application deadlines depend on the designated agents so remember to check the respective universities. 

Dental curriculums in Ireland largely adopt a problem-based approach with broad clinical exposure. To ensure that students receive highly personalised supervision throughout their education, class sizes are intentionally kept small.

In the first and second year, emphasis is placed on the foundational and biological sciences to build a deep theoretical foundation with an introduction to clinical practice. In the later years, the curriculum adopts a more hands-on focus with substantial clinical training and the development of various soft skills that are vital to practising dentistry. By the end of the programme, graduates would have completed a wide range of treatments through extensive clinical exposure.

Pathways for Licensing in Singapore

Now that you’re familiar with some of the leading international dental schools recognised in Singapore, it’s important to understand the process of obtaining your licence after returning from your study abroad. Singapore’s dental register is divided into three segments, a Full Registration, Conditional Registration, and Temporary Registration. 

Dentists under a Full Registration are allowed to practise independently in Singapore if they:

• Hold a basic dental degree from Singapore or
• Holds such qualifications as may be recognised by the Council and satisfies the council that he/she has special knowledge and skill and sufficient experience in any particular branch of dentistry

Dentists may apply for Conditional Registration if they have satisfied either Category A or B. Under this Registration, dentists are only allowed to work in a maximum of two practice addresses, and are required to be supervised by a Fully Registered dentist. Conditional Registrants may be eligible for Full Registration after two years, subject to the Council’s approval.

Category A:

• Holds a degree from a university specified in the Schedule, or any other degree which is not lower in standing than a degree specified in the Schedule
• Pass the relevant State/Regional Board licensing examination in the country in which they attained their basic dental degree. 
  • With effect from 1st January 2029, a foreign trained dentist who holds a degree from an approved dental school will have to take and pass the Qualifying Examination (QE)
• Has been selected for employment in Singapore as a dentist in any hospital or other institution approved by the Council
• Satisfies the Council that he/she has the knowledge and skill and has acquired the experience which is necessary for practice as a dentist

Category B:

• Has set and passed the QE

Dentists are **only allowed to practise for a short period not exceeding three years, under **Temporary Registration. The criteria is as follows:

• In Singapore for the purpose of teaching, research, or postgraduate study in dentistry under such training schemes as may be approved by the Council for that purpose;
• Possesses dental knowledge, experience, and skill which the Council considers to be of international standing or has special value to the people of Singapore; or 
• Not otherwise entitled to be registered as a dentist under this Act but who, in the opinion of the council, possesses other qualifications which are adequate for the purposes of registration under this Act

Registration will take about 30 minutes online, and the full list of required documents can be found at the Council’s website.

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Diving Deeper Into Dentistry: Top 5 Dentistry Schools in the U.S.
• Singapore Medical Council Approved Universities: Australia, UK, NZ, & Ireland
• How to Build Your UK Medical School Portfolio