TO HELP increase the number of dentists, the West Visayas State University will offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine program starting Academic Year 2021-2022.

The WVSU will be the first state university in Region VI and the second in the country to offer the program.

The University of the Philippines Manila is the only public university that offers a dentistry program.

“As a leading state university in medical education and nursing, WVSU will assist the government in achieving its vision of providing one dentist in every barangay as a way of making primary oral health care accessible especially in rural and underserved areas,” WVSU President Joselito Villaruz said.

The Commission on Higher Education said a three-story building will be constructed for the College of Dentistry.

“CHED assisted WVSU with funds for the acquisition of equipment and other curricular needs and a three-story building will be constructed with the support of the Department of Budget and Management,” CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said.

“The Doctor of Dental Medicine program is included in the Free Higher Education Scholarship program of the government so students will enjoy free tuition and miscellaneous fees,” he added.