GMU’s College of Dentistry sets new benchmark with 120-chair teaching hospital

GMU’s College of Dentistry sets new benchmark with 120-chair teaching hospital

Mangalore Today News Network

UAE, Jul 25, 2026: Gulf Medical University’s (GMU) College of Dentistry is setting a new benchmark in dental education with its state-of-the-art clinical training infrastructure, anchored by the 120-chair Thumbay Dental Hospital, the university’s accredited teaching hospital in Ajman.

The extensive clinical facility enables students to gain hands-on experience with real patients under specialist supervision without the limitations often faced by dental schools with fewer clinical resources. The approach ensures students develop clinical confidence through progressive exposure to increasingly complex cases.

Before entering patient clinics, students undergo rigorous training in a dedicated preclinical skills laboratory equipped with phantom-head workstations that replicate real dental treatment environments. These simulators, complete with running water and air supply, help students master clinical procedures, ergonomics, infection control, and four-handed dentistry techniques before treating patients.

The dental college is part of GMU’s integrated clinical skills and simulation network, inaugurated in 2026 as one of the largest healthcare simulation facilities in the region. The network includes a dedicated Dental Simulation Centre and the Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation, where students refine their skills in a realistic but risk-free hospital environment.

GMU’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme achieved a significant milestone in January 2024 by becoming the first undergraduate dental programme in the UAE to receive accreditation from the Australian Dental Council. The programme is also fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, while Thumbay Dental Hospital’s internship programme holds a five-year accreditation from the National Institute of Health Specialties.

The five-year, competency-based BDS curriculum focuses on developing practical clinical skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative and surgical dentistry, and patient management. Digital dentistry forms an integral part of the programme through a dedicated Digital Dentistry Laboratory equipped with advanced intraoral scanners, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM systems. Partnerships with leading dental technology companies further expose students to modern dental practices.

The College offers a comprehensive academic pathway, including the BDS programme, a one-year structured internship, Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programmes in Periodontics, Endodontics, and Orthodontics, residency programmes, a Clinical Certificate in Dental Implantology, and a Diploma for Dental Assistant.

Supported by experienced faculty across multiple dental specialities, the College is part of Gulf Medical University, established in 1998 as one of the UAE’s leading private medical and health sciences universities. Students also benefit from the university’s research ecosystem, hospital network, and dedicated Student Happiness Center, which supports academic and personal well-being.

Admissions are currently open for all dental programmes at Gulf Medical University, with limited seats available.