Hiistory

The School of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) comprises three academic units: the Department of Dentistry, the Institute of Oral Biology, and the Institute of Oral Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials.

The Department of Dentistry was established in 1976. A master’s program in Clinical Dentistry was inaugurated in 1992, followed by the doctoral program in 2000. In 2006, in line with the university’s academic restructuring policy, the department and graduate institute were consolidated into a single entity, integrating the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs into a coherent academic system. The department is dedicated to advancing dental education reform, promoting evidence-based clinical training, and strengthening international research in oral medicine. Its mission is to cultivate dental professionals of both clinical competence and ethical integrity. Over the decades, the department has produced numerous accomplished dentists and dental educators, many of whom have become leaders and innovators in major dental institutions worldwide.

The Institute of Oral Biology established its master’s program in 1993 and its doctoral program in 2002. Oral biology, as a subfield of biomedical science, focuses on the study of biological phenomena and the structural characteristics of oral and perioral tissues. The institute recruits students from diverse academic backgrounds—including medicine, dentistry, life sciences, agriculture, and engineering—and employs advanced biomedical technologies to address fundamental and clinical research questions. It has trained a substantial number of university faculty members and scientific researchers who contribute to biomedical research and education in Taiwan and abroad.

The Institute of Oral Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials was established in 2022. Its research areas encompass oral tissue engineering, optical coherence tomography, implant surface modification, 3D printing materials, applications of AR/VR/MR/XR technologies, dental big data analytics, cognitive science in dentistry, and the assessment of mastication and swallowing functions. The institute emphasizes industry collaboration and innovation-driven research, aiming to promote the advancement of Taiwan’s dental materials industry and to develop novel and competitive dental materials and diagnostic technologies.

The three academic units of the School of Dentistry share facilities in the Dental Building and maintain close collaboration in faculty, teaching, and research. The School also partners extensively with the University Hospital and the Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospitals, forming a comprehensive academic–clinical network that supports the integration of education, research, and patient care.

In May 2023, the university approved the establishment of the University Research Center for Oral Biomedical Innovation, a cross-campus platform that integrates dental education, academic research, and translational innovation. The center aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and to enhance the university’s research capacity in oral biomedical sciences.

The School of Dentistry is committed to cultivating ethical, visionary, and internationally competent professionals and researchers. By integrating interdisciplinary technologies and promoting excellence in education, clinical service, and translational research, the School strives to advance the sustainable development of oral medicine and to achieve a leading position in global dental education and research.