10 Best Dental Schools in Nigeria

In this article, we have published a list of the best dental schools in Nigeria. So if you are looking for the best dental school in Nigeria to apply for admission, then you have come to the right page.

Dentistry is as old as man. The course itself is known by many and offered by almost all universities in Nigeria and the world at large. But still, not all these universities have solid dental programs.

Dentistry also called dental medicine and oral medicine is a branch of medicine that studies mouth, teeth, and gums as areas of focus. It entails the investigation, diagnosis, management, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, disorders, and conditions, with dentition and oral mucosa as the primary areas of research.

Other components of the craniofacial complex, such as the temporomandibular joint, may also fall under the purview of dentistry. A professional in this field is often referred to as a dentist.

Without a question, one of the most prestigious academic fields in the country is dentistry, and if you decide to work in the field, you’ll make a good living.

Therefore, potential applicants are given provisional admission to study this course in the higher institution of learning through the faculty of medicine using at least 5 credits at their O Level which includes all their core science subjects along with Mathematics and English Language as the basic requirement.

Also, it is proposed that A-level schools prepare their students for direct entry into the 200-level programs of their preferred institutions by teaching them how to pass at least three topics on their tests, preferably Biology/Zoology, Physics, and Chemistry.

10 Best Dental Schools in Nigeria

College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba

The University of Lagos is well-known as the best in southwestern Nigeria with a lot of impact and professional training in dental and medicine. UNILAG has one of the best dental schools called the Faculty of Dental Sciences founded in 1964.

In West Africa, this dentistry institution is the oldest. It is not only Nigeria’s oldest dental school but also one of the top universities for studying dentistry in the nation. Numerous of the country’s best dental surgeons were graduates of the school.

College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo, Ile-Ife

The southwest-based Obafemi Awolowo University, previously known as the University of Ife, must be included in any list of the top five dentistry schools in Nigeria. The university offers top-notch courses in dentistry in addition to studies in mass communication, civil engineering, computer engineering, and medicine.

College of Medicine, University of Ibadan

You must be wondering already where Nigeria’s first university is. Well, it is safe to say that the list of best dental universities in Nigeria is incomplete without making mention of the University of Ibadan. For a university that was operational in the pre-independence era, they have set standards high when it comes to dentistry.

The celebrated writer, Chinua Achebe is one of the great products of the university. There is also the Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar who obtained his first degree from the university. Other names are Grace Alele-Williams, Kayode Are, and Emeka Anyaoku.

College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City

In the south-south region, the University of Benin stands out as the university having the best dental school. For this reason, the university has been awarded severally by reputable academic bodies for its great work not just in the area of dentistry, but also, in other health-allied courses.

College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus

Nigeria’s first indigenous university, the University of Nigeria makes an unsurprising mention in the list of best dental universities in Nigeria.

Apart from being the outright best dental university in the southeastern, they have proven their mettle on a global stage.

Bayero University Kano, Faculty of Dentistry

Hardly do northern universities get a stake in such mentions as the best dental universities in Nigeria. However, Bayero University has been that shining light for the North, not only in the field of dentistry but also, in other health-related courses.

Bayero University boasts of having the best dental schools in the country that has attracted students and professors alike from different parts of the world.

College of Medicine, Lagos State University

The only state university that makes it into the list of best dental universities in Nigeria certainly has to be the Lagos State University, the amount of work the Lagos State government has put in to develop dentistry in the university can’t be ignored.

So, if you are students who wish to study dentistry in an environment where the strike isn’t an issue, LASU makes a great option.

College of Health Sciences, University of PortHarcourt

UNIPORT is yet another great choice for students who are searching for the best dental universities in Nigeria. Their dental program not only is rich but also very stable so you don’t have to bother if the university is approved by the National Universities Council.

College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri

The Dental School of the University of Maiduguri, widely regarded as UNIMAID, is under the College of Medical Sciences at the institution. It is one of the best in the country and one of the foremost schools in the northern part of Nigeria.

College of Medicine, Niger Delta University

The Niger Delta University admitted its first set of medical/dental students during the 2001/2002 session. This college is known to provide a solid scientific and professional basis for healthcare practice on the platform of Primary Health Care (PHC). This is achieved by training the students to practice evidence-based medical and allied medical sciences anywhere in the world.

To this end, the length of time required for certification as a dentist varies depending on the dental school. Students should expect to spend between five and six years in school.

Of course, you must also achieve very high marks in the UTME administered by the JAMB as well as exceptional marks in the WASSCE exam, or its equivalent, in order to be admitted to study dentistry.

If it is the O’level exam, you must have at least five credits each in mathematics, English, physics, biology, and chemistry. Comparatively, three passes on the Level exam are a requirement.

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About Folashade Olawale, M.Ed.

Folashade Olawale is a distinguished education expert and academic consultant with over 12 years of experience in the Nigerian educational sector. She holds a Master's degree in Education from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where she specialized in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. Folashade's expertise encompasses innovative teaching strategies, educational technology, and student engagement. As a passionate advocate for quality education, Folashade regularly contributes insightful articles to Just School News, focusing on educational trends, school management, and student success strategies.