About the College of Dentistry
The College of Dentistry (CoD) was established in year 2001 under the patronage of King Faisal University, upon the Royal Decree No. 7/ b/11155, 26/7/1415H, 29/12/1994G. The Dammam branch of King Faisal University became University of Dammam as designation of Ministerial order of the Higher Education Executive Board, order number 1811/A on 15/9/1430 H corresponding to 5/9/2009 G. In 1437-1438 AH the University name change to Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal Univesity.
CoD is the first Dental College in the Eastern Province and the third dental educational institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the time of its establishment. The College of Dentistry at Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, fosters the dissemination of knowledge in all areas of dentistry, and promotes development in dental education, treatment and research. This helps translate the values of the university from the theory to practice, utilizing the assets of openness, respect, commitment, integrity, and intellectual honesty in milieu of consensus among students, faculty, and professionals. The College of Dentistry began accepting male students in the fall of 2002-2003 with only 10 faculty members and 35 male dental students. In the fall of 2011, the first cohort of 30 female dental students was enrolled at the college, increasing the total number of students enrolled in the BDS program to 206 (176 male and 30 female students).
Since the beginning of the program, 448 students have graduated from the College of Dentistry, which they have been involved in the professional field and have started their careers by providing dental health care or by enrolling in graduate programs. The College has sponsored 58 scholars for graduate studies abroad, in Europe and North America. Of those, 17 have successfully completed their training and obtained their degrees and were appointed among the faculty members at COD, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University.
In 2013 the college underwent a major curriculum reform with a focus on student centered, competency based curriculum introducing new teaching methodologies, integration and inter-professional engagement. The new curriculum was approved by the University Executive Board in May 2015.
In 2016, College of Dentistry became the first among IAU colleges to receive full accreditation from the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment – NCAAA. A review panel of experts from institutions around the world made the final site-visit from 30th April to 5th May 2016. College of Dentistry, IAU also became the 3rd governmental college to achieve the recognition.
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