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HKU Dentistry tops the world in QS University Subject Rankings 2017

08 Mar 2017

 

The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong has been ranked the top dental school in the world in the latest QS University Subject Rankings 2017 published today (March 8, 2017). The Faculty first achieved that recognition in 2016, moving up from second place in 2015.

The Dean, Professor Thomas Flemmig, expressed his delighted surprise at the ranking. “Last year, I told staff and students that being ranked No. 1 in the World was a once in a lifetime achievement. I was wrong!” he said.

“The ranking is a wonderful recognition of the outstanding achievements of our staff and students and a testament to the excellence of our research, teaching, and service. It demonstrates what we can achieve together. All of our staff in the Faculty and Prince Philip Dental Hospital have contributed to our success through their invaluable and relentless support.”

The Faculty was established in 1982 to educate dentists for Hong Kong at a time when aspiring dentists had to seek training overseas. About two-thirds of dentists practicing in Hong Kong today have been trained in the Faculty, which remains the only educational centre for dentists in the territory.

In September 2016, intake to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme was increased by 40% to address the shortage of dentists in Hong Kong. The Faculty’s programmes also attract high-calibre students from around the region.

Apart from Bachelor of Dental Surgery, there are research postgraduate and taught postgraduate programmes in the dental specialties of Community Dentistry, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics.

Research remains another strength and the Faculty has developed expertise in translational research to benefit the community.

Community engagement and impact also underpin all of the Faculty’s work, from clinical service to outreach and education programmes and to engagement with key stakeholders. The faculty is committed to knowledge exchange and engages stakeholders of the community for prevention of oral disease and health promotion. 

Professor Flemmig said the Faculty will build upon the achievements to advance oral health and well-being in Hong Kong, China, and the world. With the recently established Institute of Advanced Dentistry, the Faculty will create a centre of excellence for the management of complex oral conditions. The Institute of Advanced Dentistry will provide multispecialty advanced dental care, serve as a referral centre for practicing dentists, and contribute to the oral healthcare of the people in the region. Furthermore, it will foster clinical innovation, support translational and clinical research and provide postgraduate and professional dental education.

For more information about the HKU Faculty of Dentistry, please visit http://facdent.hku.hk; Facebook page: www.facebook.com/facdent

For enquiries, please contact Associate Dean (External Relations) Prof Chun-hung Chu at 2859 0287/ email: chchu@hku.hk or Knowledge Exchange officer, Ms sau-wan Cheng at 2859 0410/ email: dentke@hku.hk.