Ajman (UAE), July 24: Gulf Medical University’s (GMU) College of Dentistry has highlighted its commitment to clinical excellence through one of the region’s largest dental training infrastructures, featuring 120 clinical dental chairs at Thumbay Dental Hospital, its accredited teaching hospital in Ajman.
According to the university, the facility enables dental students to gain extensive hands-on clinical experience by treating patients under specialist supervision, preparing them for professional practice through a competency-based learning model.
Extensive clinical exposure for students
GMU said the 120-chair facility allows students to transition from simulation-based learning to supervised patient care without delays often associated with limited clinical infrastructure.
Students receive practical exposure by progressing through increasingly complex clinical cases in a hospital setting while being mentored by experienced faculty members.
The university noted that the emphasis on early clinical training is intended to build confidence and strengthen diagnostic and treatment skills before graduation.
Advanced simulation facilities
Before treating patients, students undergo intensive training at a dedicated pre-clinical skills laboratory equipped with phantom-head workstations that simulate real dental procedures using running water and air systems.
The laboratory forms part of Gulf Medical University’s integrated clinical skills and simulation network, inaugurated in 2026. The network includes six connected training facilities, including a dedicated Dental Simulation Centre and the Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation, allowing students to practise procedures in a controlled environment before entering clinical practice.
Internationally accredited programme
The university stated that its Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme became the first undergraduate dental programme in the UAE to receive accreditation from the Australian Dental Council (ADC) in January 2024.
The programme also holds accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Education, while the clinical training and internship programme at Thumbay Dental Hospital received a five-year accreditation from the National Institute of Health Specialties in March 2023.
According to GMU, these recognitions enhance opportunities for graduates seeking licensure and postgraduate education both within the UAE and internationally.
Focus on digital dentistry
The five-year, competency-based BDS programme spans 15 semesters and 200 academic credits, with students assessed on practical clinical competencies in diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative procedures, surgery, and patient management.
The curriculum also integrates digital dentistry through a dedicated laboratory established in 2023, equipped with intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM systems, and 3D printing technology.
The university said collaborations with dental technology companies including exocad, Shofu, and Alliedstar provide students with exposure to contemporary digital workflows used in modern dental practice.
Opportunities for higher education and specialisation
Beyond undergraduate education, GMU offers postgraduate programmes including Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) degrees in Periodontics, Endodontics, and Orthodontics, along with residency programmes, a Clinical Certificate in Dental Implantology, and a Diploma for Dental Assistants.
The university said students can complete their undergraduate studies, internship, and specialist training within the same academic and clinical ecosystem, allowing continuity in clinical education.
Established in 1998, Gulf Medical University is among the leading private medical and health sciences universities in the UAE. The institution stated that admissions are currently open across its dental programmes.