Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

A. The selection for admission to a Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme or equivalent implies selection for the dental profession.

A person who is qualified in Dentistry from a dentistry programme recognized by the Malaysian Dental Council (“Council”) is entitled to be registered by the Council. The fitness to practise Dentistry of the applicant shall be considered in the selection for entry into any dental programme.

B. The practice of Dentistry requires the highest standards of professional and personal conduct as well as professional competence.

1. Although some students have attained the academic standards required, they might not be suitable to for a career in Dentistry. This is to safeguard the interest of the public and of the applicant himself. It is better not to gain admission than to subsequently have to leave the course or profession.

2. It is the responsibility of the dental school to ensure that there are no particular circumstances that will impact upon an applicant’s fitness to practise upon graduation.

3. All applicants shall declare if they have all the followings which may impact upon their future practice.
i. been found guilty of any criminal offence(s);
ii. serious physical or mental illness; and/or
iii. serious communicable disease(s).

4.  A person with any of the following shall be disqualified from entry into a dental programme:
i. found guilty of offence(s) affecting the human body;
ii. recent or serious dishonesty e.g. cheating in examinations, falsification of documents, plagiarism;
iii. serious physical or mental disorder;
iv. serious communicable disease(s) for which there are no available acceptable methods of protection

5.  Failure to declare information that has a material influence on a student’s fitness to practise may lead to termination of their dental course, as honesty, integrity and good health are essential attributes of a dental practitioner and by extension, the dental student.

6.  In the event of any doubt, the dental school shall seek clarification from the Council.

7.  All decision makers of dental schools and aspiring applicants are advised to study the Council’s guidelines available at www.mdc.gov.my.

C. A high level of academic attainment is expected.
1. An understanding of science, in particular chemistry and biology, is central to the understanding of Dentistry. However, the Council recognizes the diversity of subjects taken by applicants and the contributions of those who have entered dental schools with other qualifications.

2. All applicants shall have attained a level of competence in English to enable them to complete the course successfully.

3. All applicants entering the dental programme via matriculation, foundation or pre- dental programme, except those with a degree qualification, STPM or A level shall have passed and attained a minimum of the following at School Certificate level or its equivalent:

Note:
i. Any applicants with School Certificates that are not mentioned in this guideline must refer to ‘The List of Entry Qualifications for International Students’ by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for the purpose of qualification equivalency.

ii. A combination of SPM and O-Level results is allowed to fulfil the entry requirement as stated in Keputusan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa lnduk MQA-SPIPTS Bil.1/2009 bertarikh 11 Mei 2009 and Keputusan Mesyuarat MQA Bil.4/2009 bertarikh 27 Mei 2009 (Kompilasi Dasar Jaminan Kuoliti Pendidikan Tinggi (2009 – 2020: Edisi Ketiga).

iii. UEC eligibility is only for admission to higher education programs in Private Higher Learning Institutions (IPTS) as stated in:
Surat Pekeliling Ketua Pendaftar lnstitusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia Bil. 2/2004 – Kelayakan dan Kedudukan ‘Unified Examination Certificate’ (UEC) dated 19 Mac 2004 No. Ruj: KP(JPS)5181/01/02/Jld.3(6).

4. All applicants, except those with a degree qualification in sciences, arts or humanities, shall have passed and attained a minimum of the following at:

a. Higher School Certificate level or its equivalent (STPM or A-Level):

Note: Combination of A-Level or STAM and STPM is allowed to fulfil the entry requirement as stated in Keputusan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa lnduk MQA-SPIPTS Bil.1/2009 dated 11 May 2009 and Keputusan Mesyuarat MQA Bil.4/2009 dated 27 May 2009 (Kompilasi Dasar Jaminan Kualiti Pendidikan Tinggi (2009 – 2020: Edisi Ketiga)

or

b. Matriculation, foundation or pre-medical programme or its equivalent (all applicants must fulfill the requirement at SPM/ O-level or its equivalent):

or

c. Diploma Level

or

d. Degree Level

5. Applicants shall be required to pass an aptitude test and/or an interview and/or a university entrance examination.

6. Graduates seeking employment in the government need credit in Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level.

7. For qualifications not listed in this document, the institution must obtain an equivalence assessment of the qualification from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

8. Clarifications shall be sought from the Council in situations for which there are no provisions in this guideline

9. Graduates from a dental programme who seek employment in the public sector must fulfill the criteria set by the Public Services Commission of Malaysia (SPA).