The Education System at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong: A Global Standard in Dental Education

Abstract

: Globalization in dental education is an important issue in Japan. However, implementing strategies for globalization related to aspects such as infrastructure, educational goals and content, educational methodologies, and standards is not easy. The dental training programmes at the Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong can offer some insight into the process. While The University of Hong Kong is world-renowned and has embraced globalization, it is located in Asia, where English is not the native language. The latter re fl ects the same situation as in Japan, but the Hong Kong and Japanese dental schools differ considerably in the medium of education, teaching styles, undergraduate curriculum, postgraduate education system, character of the students, and duties of the academic staff. Dental education at The University of Hong Kong may thus provide a role model for the planning and integration of globalization within the tertiary dental education system in Japan.