SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Welcome to School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry is one of the eight schools of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), which became a fully-fledged university in 2007. The school started as a Division of Dentistry within the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Dar-es-Salaam in 1979, after a felt need for the production of Tanzanian dentists who were suitably trained to address oral health problems of Tanzanians.
Currently, the dentist-to-population ratio in Tanzania is about 1:120,000 people compared to a ratio of 1:7,500 people recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing countries.
Currently, the School of Dentistry is running one undergraduate and four postgraduate programs. The postgraduate programs are MDent (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), MDent (Restorative Dentistry), MDent (Community Dentistry), and MDent (Paediatric Dentistry).
About School
Background about the school In 1979, the degree course of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) was introduced by establishing the Division of Dentistry within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In 1990, the Division of Dentistry was designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre in Africa. In 1991, it was upgraded to the Faculty of Dentistry following the formation of Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS), a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam. In 2002, the Faculty of Dentistry was further upgraded to the School of Dentistry. Since MUCHS became a fully-fledged university, namely Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), in 2007, the School of Dentistry has maintained this status to date. It remains the primary institution in Tanzania for training Dental Surgeons and houses the largest human resource in the field of Dentistry within the country. The School of Dentistry is situated in the Dental building, which provides space for clinics, lecture halls, classrooms, and offices, offering a suitable environment to fulfill the primary roles of the school (Teaching, Research, Service, and Consultancy). The clinical area is organized across three floors, each equipped with a varying number of dental treatment chairs. Other teaching facilities within the school include a fully equipped Phantom Head Laboratory as well as a Dental Technology Laboratory. The classrooms are well-spaced and comfortable, equipped with audio-visual equipment.” Vision & Mission Vision To become a centre for revolutionizing oral health in Tanzania and in the African region Mission To seek for quality health through education, training, research and health services for attainment of equitable socio-economic development Objectives/Goals/functions -To train and produce graduates, specialists and allied oral health personnel in oral health sciences for health care systems -To carry out research in oral health and related sciences -To provide continuing professional development to graduate oral and other health workers -To provide consultant services to the general public, government, non-governmental organizations and other institutions -To review and introduce new training programs as may be required |
Our Programmes
Undergraduate Program:
The School have one full-time Undergraduate program Bachelor of Doctor of Dental Surgery
PostGraduate Program:
There are five full-time postgraduate programs, Masters of dentistry in Oral maxillofacial surgery, Masters of dentistry in Orthodontics, Masters of dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry, Masters of dentistry in Community Dentistry and Masters of dentistry in Restorative Dentistry
Our Departments
Restorative Department
The Department of Restorative Dentistry is responsible for teaching students in following dental disciplines:
- Dental Materials Science
- Operative Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Fixed and removable prosthodontics
- Dental implants
- Periodontology
The department maintains a school’s dental phantom room where preclinical education of 3rd year undergraduate dental students takes place. In their 4th and 5th years of dental school, students participate in the clinical care of adult patients in the clinic. This sequencing of our training allows the transition from didactic through preclinical to clinical studies and patient care.
In addition to undergraduate training the department provides a Master programme in Restorative Dentistry. This multidisciplinary programme aims at training post graduate students on evidence-based treatment of patients with complex restorative needs. The three-year full-time program permits the General Dental Practitioner to pursue training that will enhance their competence to work as a specialist in Restorative Dentistry.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department
The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery provides training to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the sub-disciplines of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery (as a major part), Oral Medicine, Oral Radiology, and Applied Oral Pathology. It is responsible for imparting knowledge and skills in diagnosis and management of patients with various oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) conditions. Undergraduate student training is conducted through junior clerkship during the third year, Intermediate clerkship in fourth year and Senior clerkship in the 5th year. Through this training, at completion of studies a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) candidate is able to manage most of the basic oral and maxillofacial emergency conditions and general non-complicated cases, at the same time able to identify cases which require the attention of the OMFS Specialists.
The department runs a Master in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programme. It is a 3-year programme transiting to 4 years. It also provides teaching in Oral and Maxillofacial Module to other Master programmes including MDent Paediatric Dentistry, MMed Otorhinolaryngology and MSc Plastic Reconstruction Surgery.
The department conducts clinical services at the Oral Surgery clinic, and collaborates with other OMFS specialists working with Muhimbili National Hospital in providing surgical services to inpatients. The department also conducts research in various fields in the OMFS discipline
Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Community Dentistry
The Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics, and Community Dentistry comprises three units: the Orthodontic Unit, Pedodontic Unit, and Community Dentistry Unit.
The Community Dentistry Unit provides training for undergraduates in years 4 and 5 on research methods and community field attachments. Additionally, it offers a three-year program for Masters of Dentistry in Community Dentistry.
The Orthodontic Unit trains undergraduates in years 4 and 5 in removable and fixed orthodontics management of patients in dental clinics. It also provides a three-year training program for Masters of Dentistry in Orthodontics.
The Pedodontic Unit focuses on training undergraduates in years 4 and 5 in the management of pediatric patients in dental clinics. Similarly, it offers a Masters of Dentistry program in Pediatrics
Short Courses
1. Cross infection control
2. Impression taking
3. Cosmetic dentistry
4. Endodontic treatment
5. Oral radiology
6. Management of odontogenic infections
7. Classification of malocclusion
Research Priority
1. Dental restorative materials
2. Dental caries
3. Periodontal diseases
4. Oral facial and dental pain
5. Oral cancers
6. Trauma and acquired anatomic defects
7. Malocclusions
8. Major malformations
9. Dental diseases in children, adolescents and in the elderly
10. Dental disease and conditions in the disabled
Projects
Local and International Collaborators
Head of Departments
Oral and Maxillofacial
Dr Sira Owibingile - Head
Orthodontics Pedodontics and Community Dentistry
Dr. Ferdinand Machibya - Head
Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Lilian E. Mkonyi - Head
Our Staff Members
| SN | Name | Department/Unit | Role | OCRID-link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sira Stanslaus Owibingire | ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY | Senior Lecturer | |
| 2 | David K.Deoglas | ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY | Lecturer | |
| 3 | Dr. Ferdinand Mabula Machibya | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Senior Lecturer | |
| 4 | Prof. Febronia Kokulengya Kahabuka | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Senior Lecturer | |
| 5 | Dr. Matilda Mtaya Mlangwa | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Senior Lecturer | |
| 6 | Dr. Hawa Shariff Mbawalla | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Senior Lecturer | |
| 7 | Dr. Kasusu Nyamuryekung’e | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 8 | Shadia Majid Abubakary | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 9 | E. L. Daniel | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 10 | Dr. Fransisko G Kitali | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 11 | A. A. Msaki | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 12 | Suzana Mashiku Sabasaba | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 13 | Mrisho Mashaka | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 14 | Denis Richard Chemli | ORTHODONTICS, PEDODONTICS AND COMMUNITY DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 15 | Dr. Lilian E. Mkonyi | RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 16 | Evarist Mulyahela | RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 17 | Melea J. Lusinde | RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY | Lecturer | |
| 18 | Fortunata Cornel | RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant | |
| 19 | James Ernest Mamboleo | RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY | Tutorial assistant |