If you aspire to pursue a career in Dentistry and Dental Surgery, it is essential to understand the admission requirements and subject combinations needed to gain admission into Nigerian universities.
Admission Requirements for Dentistry and Dental Surgery in Nigerian Universities
This blog post aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the subject combinations for WAEC and JAMB, along with other admission requirements.
Additionally, we will explore the career prospects available to individuals with a degree in Dentistry and Dental Surgery.
JAMB UTME Subject Combination
To be eligible for Dentistry and Dental Surgery, which falls under the Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical & Health Sciences in Nigerian universities, you need to choose the following subjects for your JAMB UTME examination:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Any other Science subject
WAIVER (SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS)
- University of Ibadan (UI) – Same as Medicine and Surgery.
- University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT), University of Jos (UNIJOS), University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Nigeria (UNN), University of Benin (UNIBEN), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) require Physics as the additional science subject.
O’Level Subject Combination & Requirements
To study Dentistry and Dental Surgery, you must have a minimum of five (5) credit passes in the following O’Level subjects:
- English Language
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Physics
WAIVER (SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS)
- University of Nigeria (UNN) requires candidates to have ‘O’ level credit passes in English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, in addition to meeting the minimum entry requirements at not more than one (1) sitting.
Direct Entry Admission Requirement
If you are applying for Dentistry and Dental Surgery through Direct Entry, the following admission requirements must be met:
- Three (3) ‘A’ level passes, which should include Chemistry, Physics, and Biology/Zoology.
WAIVER (SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS)
- University of Ibadan (UI) – Same as Medicine and Surgery.
- University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) – No Direct Entry.
- University of Benin (UNIBEN) accepts B.Sc Second Class Lower in Biochemistry, Physiology, Zoology, Microbiology, Botany, Anatomy, Nursing, B.Sc or ND Optometry, B.Pharmacy, or Doctor of Pharmacy.
- University of Lagos (UNILAG) accepts passes in three (3) JUPEB/’A’-level subjects: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- University of Jos (UNIJOS) accepts passes in IJMB/’A’ Level in Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology or Biology. Candidates must also have a minimum of five (5) ‘O’ level credit passes in Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Zoology, Mathematics, and English Language.
- University of Nigeria (UNN): i) Direct entry candidates should have three (3) ‘A’ level passes in Biology or Zoology, Chemistry, and Physics at one (1) sitting, in addition to satisfying the UTME requirements. ii) UNN also accepts B.Sc in the related program for admission into the five (5) year standard program. iii) MBBS graduates may be admitted into the three (3) year clinical program in Dentistry.
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) accepts B.Sc. with a minimum of second-class Honours in the relevant program (Sciences).
Nigerian Universities Offering Dentistry and Dental Surgery
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Nigeria (UNN)
- University of Benin (UNIBEN)
- University of Calabar (UNICAL)
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)
- Bayero University Kano (BUK)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
- University of Jos (UNIJOS)
- University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
- University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State (UNIMED)
Career Opportunities for Dentistry and Dental Surgery Graduates
Earning a degree in Dentistry and Dental Surgery opens up various career paths. Here are some of the career options available:
- Dentist
- Dental hygienist
- Dental therapist
- Dental technician
- Health service manager
- Higher education lecturer
- Health promotion specialist
- Medical sales representative
- Science writer
- Primary school teacher
- Secondary school teacher
- Teaching laboratory technician
FAQs
What are the required O’Level subjects for studying Dentistry and Dental Surgery?
To study Dentistry and Dental Surgery in Nigeria, you typically need to have credit passes in the following O’Level subjects:
- English Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
These subjects are essential because they provide the foundational knowledge necessary for the rigorous curriculum of Dentistry and Dental Surgery programs.
What JAMB subjects are required for admission into Dentistry and Dental Surgery?
For admission into a Dentistry and Dental Surgery program, you will need to take the following subjects in the JAMB UTME:
- English Language (compulsory for all courses)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
These subjects align with the core areas of study in Dentistry and are crucial for evaluating your suitability for the program.
Is it possible to gain admission into Dentistry and Dental Surgery with an incomplete O’Level result?
No, you generally cannot gain admission into Dentistry and Dental Surgery with an incomplete O’Level result. Most institutions require that you have at least five O’Level credits, including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, before you can be considered for admission. You should ensure all your results are complete and meet the required criteria before applying.
Conclusion
Pursuing Dentistry and Dental Surgery requires meeting specific subject combinations and admission requirements.
By following the guidelines provided above, you can ensure that you fulfill the necessary criteria to gain admission into any of the universities in Nigeria offering this course.
Furthermore with a degree in Dentistry and Dental Surgery, you can explore a range of fulfilling career opportunities within the healthcare sector.
