How to Become a Dentist in Malaysia?

What is the Education Pathway to Become to Dentist in Malaysia after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels?

A dentistry degree will teach you all you need to know about the prevention, detection and treatment of oral and dental diseases. Students will begin by learning about the theory behind dentistry, with topics such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, human disease, pathology and epidemiology. In addition, you will study about the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders. Finally, students will gain practical experience of orthodontics, sedation and minor oral surgeries. Studying at a top private university in Malaysia for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) will equip you with the necessary skills to carve out a successful practice in the future.

To qualify, you’ll need to have reached the standards laid down by the Dental Council Malaysia and Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA). Graduates will gain a high level of scientific competency, and be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of ethical practice and good communication skills.

Chemistry and biology are a requirement for the Dentistry degree programme as well as Mathematics or Physics. Malaysia’s private universities will require three Bs at A-level or STPM, while some medical schools offer one-year Foundation in Science courses for students after secondary school.

Dentists are doctors who specialise in oral health. Students who are interested to become Dentists in Malaysia need to go for a 5-year Dentistry degree that’s recognised by the Dental Council Malaysia and Ministry of Health, Malaysia as well as accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Dental graduates from the best private universities in Malaysia will have excellent job opportunities as they will possess the necessary knowledge and skills for a successful career.

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What is the Education Pathway to become a Dentist in Malaysia after Secondary School?

Dentistry is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Often considered necessary for complete oral health, dentistry can have an impact on the health of your entire body. There are excellent job opportunities for Dentists in Malaysia.

Dentists study prevention, detection, management and treatment of oral and dental diseases, and the maintenance of oral health A Dental degree programme at a top private university in Malaysia will cover basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, oral biology, medical microbiology, pathology & pharmacology. Therefore, students will gain a strong fundamental understanding in Dentistry, as well as the structure and function of the human body.

Below is the pathway for students who have completed high school and desire to become a Dentist in Malaysia:

• After completing SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels, students will need at least 5Bs including all science subjects and Maths to enter into a Pre-University programme such as Foundation in Science, A-Levels, SACEi, etc.
• Upon completion of the Pre-University Programme and obtaining the relevant requirements to enter the Dental degree programme, students will take 5 years to complete the course.
• A dental degree programme is divided into 2 parts with Part 1 taking 2 – 2.5 years and Part 2 taking 2.5 years.
• When students complete the 5-year dentistry undergraduate programme, they will need to serve the government for 1 year before being able to register and practice as a dentist in Malaysia.
• They can then continue on to specialise in Orthodontics, Periodontology, or Paediatric Dentistry which will take about 3 years.

What are the Entry Requirements to Study Dentistry at a Private Medical School in Malaysia?

• STPM
  • Grades BBB/ABC/ AAC in 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics);
• Matriculation/ Foundation in Science/Pre-Medical Course
  • CGPA 3.00 in 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics) and provided the course is not less than 1 year in the same accredited institution and the minimum entry qualification is 5 B’s each in Biology & Chemistry & Physics & Mathematics/Additional Mathematics & 1 other subject at school certificate level/ equivalent;
• A-Levels
  • Grades BBB/ ABC/ AAC in 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics)
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • B4 each in 5 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics & Mathematics & Add Mathematics)
• South Australian Matriculation (SAM)/ Monash University Foundation Pre-University (MUFY)/ Western Australian Curriculum Council/ University of New South Wales Foundation (UNSW)/ Higher School Certificate (HSC) Sydney Australia/ Trinity College Foundation Studies/ Australian Universities Foundation Programmes/ Victorian Certificate of Education, Australia Year 12
  • Aggregate/average of 80% in any 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics) or 80% ATAR
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • 30 points with a minimum of 2 Science subjects / Mathematics at Higher Level (HL) & 1 Science subject at Standard Level (SL) & attained a minimum score of 4 each in Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics
• National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 / New Zealand Bursary / Canadian Pre-University (CPU) / Canadian International Matriculation Program (CIMP/Canadian Grade 12/13
  • Average of 80% in any 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics)
• Indian Pre-University
  • Average of 70% in any 3 subjects (Biology & Chemistry & Physics/Mathematics)
• Diploma in Health Sciences
  • CGPA 3.5 and provided the course is not less than 5 semesters or 2 1/2 years in the same accredited institution and the minimum entry qualification is 5 B’s each in Biology & Chemistry & Physics & Mathematics/Additional Mathematics & 1 other subject at school certificate level / equivalent
• Degree in Medical Sciences
  • CGPA of 3.3 (5-year undergraduate Medical programme)
• Degree in the Arts / Humanities
  • CGPA 3.5 (5-year undergraduate medical programme) and 3Cs each in Biology & Chemistry & Physics & General Science & Mathematics / Additional Mathematics at SPM / equivalent or accredited bridging course
• American High School with Advanced Placement (AP)
  • CGPA 3.00 for 3 Science Subjects/Maths
• Other qualification approved by Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA)

What is the Duration of a Dentistry Degree Programme?

A dentistry degree will take 5 years to complete at a private medical school in Malaysia. Upon completion, graduates will need to undergo a 1-year housemanship for the government before being able to become a registered Dentist to practice.

Students after high school will need to complete a Pre-University course before taking the 5-year course.

Accreditation and Recognition

All undergraduate Dentistry degree programmes in Malaysia must be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia and recognized by the Dental Council Malaysia and Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

How Much does it Cost to Study Dentistry in Malaysia?

It will cost about RM300,000 to RM600,000 for a 5-year dentistry degree course at a private medical school in Malaysia. The fees will vary from university to university.

Choose to Study at a Recognised & Accredited Top Medical School in Malaysia for Dentistry

Dentistry is a practical hands-on undergraduate programme. Some medical schools will make you study for 2-2.5 years before allowing you to practise on the public. Your clinical training may take place in the dental hospital linked to your university, or in community clinics or health centres. Upon completion, you will undergo a 1-year housemanship under the government before you can register and practice as a Dentist in Malaysia.

Students intending to pursue an undergraduate Dentistry degree in Malaysia will need to score at least 3Bs in A-Levels/STPM or obtain a CGPA of 3.00 in the Foundation in Science programme. Choosing to study a top dental programme in Malaysia as it will equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to carve out a successful career.

The course should be recognised by the Dental Council Malaysia and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. However, students wanting to go for a top university should look at the facilities and years of experience in the particular course.

What will you Learn in a Dentistry Degree at a Private University in Malaysia?

A dentistry degree will teach you all you need to know about the prevention, detection and treatment of oral and dental diseases. Students will begin by learning about the theory behind dentistry, with topics such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, human disease, pathology and epidemiology. In addition, you will study about the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders. Finally, students will gain practical experience of orthodontics, sedation and minor oral surgeries.

To qualify, you’ll need to have reached the standards laid down by the Dental Council Malaysia and Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA). Graduates will gain a high level of scientific competency, and be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of ethical practice and good communication skills.

Chemistry and biology are a requirement for the Dentistry degree programme as well as Mathematics or Physics. Malaysia’s private universities will require three Bs at A-level or STPM, while some medical schools offer one-year Foundation in Science courses for students after secondary school.

What will You Study in a Dentistry Degree Course in Malaysia?

A Dental degree programme at a top private university in Malaysia will cover basic medical sciences, such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, oral biology, medical microbiology, pathology & pharmacology. Therefore, students will gain a strong fundamental understanding in Dentistry, as well as the structure and function of the human body.

The modules taught in a Dentistry degree programme are an integration of biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences, with particular emphasis on human anatomy, craniofacial biology, physiology, biochemistry, and microbiology. Apart from that, the study of pathology, pharmacology, human organ systems, associated disease processes, emergency procedures, infection control, oral health diseases, biomaterials, operative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral surgery, public health and community dentistry make up a large portion of the syllabus.

Programme Outline Sample of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Programme

• YEAR 1
  In the First year, dental students will study basic medical sciences like Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, which provides a foundation for the study of Clinical Dentistry. Students will also be introduced to the basic dental science disciplines (Oral Biology, Oral Physiology) and common oral health problems.
• YEAR 2
  In year 2, students will be introduced to clinical subjects like Conservative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry and Applied Dental Materials. Students will develop the practical skills and learn the basic dental techniques in the simulation and dental technology laboratory. Students will be taught the supporting courses like Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Communication Skills.
• YEAR 3
  During Year 3, students learn to examine, diagnose and treat the patients in clinic. Learning in the Year 2 clinical subjects continues along with the introduction of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics. Supporting courses are held in Medicine, Surgery, Oral Radiology, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Health Promotion & Preventive Dentistry and Law & Ethics
• YEAR 4
  Many treatment procedures are practiced in all the clinical disciplines in Year 4. The discipline of Pediatric Dentistry is introduced. Teaching is given in Community Oral Health and in dentistry for the elderly and special needs patients. Further learning is undertaken in Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine.
• YEAR 5
  Clinical practice in all aspects of dentistry continues with practical experience in Community Oral Health. Dental Practice Management is taught to prepare students for work in general dental practice. Learning continues in Oral Surgery with students participating in the management of in-patients requiring complex oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures in the hospital.

What are the Subjects that a Dental Student will take at a Private University in Malaysia?

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Oral Biology
• Microbiology
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Dental Materials & Equipment
• General Medicine
• General Surgery DDS3 1109
• Oral Pathology & Oral Medicine
• Dental Radiology
• Prosthetic Dentistry
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Periodontology
• Conservative Dentistry
• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Dental Public Health
• Family Dentistry