Department of
Restorative Dentistry
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Welcome to Department of Restorative Dentistry
I, Professor Donna Chioma Umesi, warmly welcome you to the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. We are the pioneer and foremost department of Restorative Dentistry in Nigeria, our Dental School being the pioneer one in Nigeria.
Our department offers world-class training in conservative dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, aesthetic dentistry, science of dental materials, advanced conservation and oral implantology to dental students at undergraduate level and dentists at postgraduate level. We have erudite scholars, researchers and lecturers who have recorded several firsts in their fields of specialization.
We are very hands-on in our training starting with the phantom head simulation skills laboratory where we introduce our students to operative dentistry and prosthetic techniques before allowing them into the various clinics where they treat live patients and acquire excellent patient management skills and clinical operative skills. We are geared to give top class training and learning opportunities to generations of dental students who pass through our department.
You are welcome.
Prof. D. C. Umesi
Head of Department (HOD)
Our Vision
To be a top-class department for the pursuit of excellence in Restorative Dentistry.
Our Mission
To provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and development of Conservative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Aesthetic Dentistry and Implantology in our undergraduate and post-graduate programs.
About the Department of Restorative Dentistry
The Department of Restorative Dentistry was established with the inception, in September 1966, of the School of Dental Sciences by Late Professor John Fox-Taylor. The school has become the Faculty of Dental Sciences since 2009 in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
The department offers training to Dental students from 400 Level to 600 Level in Junior, intermediate and senior courses in Prosthetic Dentistry, Conservative Dentistry and Science of Dental Materials. The department also participates in the training of Postgraduate Resident Dentists preparing for the Fellowship in Dental Surgery of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and West African College of Surgeons. Recently, the department got approval to commence its MSc Oral Implantology course which is expected to start in the 2026 academic year.
Research is undertaken in many aspects of Dentistry in the various units of the department. The first Head of Restorative Dentistry Department was Late Professor E. N. Henshaw. Overseas teachers on short term appointment from America, Canada, New Zealand and United Kingdom were also recruited to contribute to the teaching of Conservative Dentistry and Prosthodontics. Professor Henshaw was later joined b-y Professor E. S. Akpata in the Department of Restorative Dentistry after his return from overseas postgraduate training.
The first set of Dentists graduated from the Lagos University School of Dental Sciences in 1971. After 1971, more teaching staff were recruited into the department. Dr. H.E.A. Okpo, Dr. A. T. Idowu, Late Dr. I.E.E. Bassey and Dr. O. P. Shaba joined the Department of Restorative Dentistry in the 70’s. The department consists of two major academic units and several sub-specialties.
- Conservative Dentistry unit which comprise Preclinical Operative Techniques Advanced Operative Techniques, Conservations, Endodontics, Science of Dental Materials and Aesthetic Dentistry.
- Prosthetic Dentistry Unit which comprise of Preclinical Prosthetic techniques, Partial and Complete Denture techniques and Advanced Prosthodontics.
As the department trained more fellows and consultants, the staff strength increased as they were recruited into the department. Prof. P. A. Akeredolu was recruited in December 1998, Professor D. C. Umesi in December 2000 but assumed duties in March 2001, Dr. I. C. Adegbulugbe in October 2001 and, Dr. O. A. Oremosu, Dr. O. H. Oderinu, Dr. Y. O. Ajayi in October 2005. Dr O. A. Ijarogbe and Dr. B. O. Akinboboye in March, 2012. Dr. J. O. Makanjuola in October, 2017. The department currently has nine Lecturers, comprised of six Lecturers in the Conservation unit and three Lecturers in the Prosthetics Unit.
Programmes
Take a significant step in your career journey by investing in your professional development through our faculty’s specialized certificate programs, designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in a focused area of study.
Undergraduate Programmes
Postgraduate Programmes
Student Opportunities
Discover the exciting opportunities awaiting students within this department. Here, you can explore pathways for intellectual growth, engage in stimulating learning experiences, and lay the foundation for future academic and professional success in a specific field of study.
