College of Dentistry
HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE
The College of Dentistry started with the original Philippine Union College in Baesa, Caloocan City. The two-year preparatory dental course leading to the title Associate in Arts Pre-Dentistry was given Government Recognition in June 1953. Without a Dentistry Proper course offered in PUC, these students then transferred to other universities to finish their program. Eventually, this led to a decrease in the number of enrollees who would rather complete both their Pre-Dentistry and Dentistry Proper programs in one university.
It was only 50 years later, in Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, did the Pre-Dentistry program continue on to Dentistry Proper. The Dean, Dr. Marissa Hizon Virgines, opened the doors of the College to their first batch of Dentistry Proper students in 2003. This move tripled the enrolment of the college which then moved to its new home, with an Anatomy laboratory, a dental simulator laboratory, a library, several classrooms and the dental clinic.
The College of Dentistry of the Adventist University of the Philippines is the only college operated by the SDA church in the Philippines and in Asia, which is authorized to offer both the Pre-dentistry and 4-year Dentistry proper course. Its students hail from the Philippines, other Asian countries and Africa; all for obtaining quality Christian dental training.
PHILOSOPHY
The Adventist University of the Philippines, a Christian Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning, believes that God, as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, is the source of true education which promotes an integrated course of learning that prepares human beings for usefulness in this world and for fitness in the world to come.
MISSION STATEMENT
The AUP College of Dentistry exists to provide quality Christian education and training to future dentists by equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes that would spell excellent dental service to humankind.
VISION
It is the vision of the AUP College of Dentistry to become a training center for world class Christian dental professionals.
Related Information
Faculty
Dean : Marissa Hizon-Virgines, DDM, MPH
- Master in Public Health
Adventist University of the Philippines, 2004 - Preceptorship Program in Orthodontics, 1997
- Doctor of Dental Medicine
ManilaCentral University, 1987
Department Chair: Darryl O. Picar, DDM, MPH
- Master in Public Health
Adventist University of the Philippines, 2009 - Externship Training in Implant Dentistry
Alpha Bio Dental Implantology Center, 2005 - Preceptorship in Orthodontics
Loh’s Advanced Orthodontics, 2005 - Post-Graduate Basic Course in Periodontics
Philippine Post-Graduate Studies and Training, 2004 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
ManilaCentral University, 1999
Clinical Coordinator : Mylene Mendoza-Tiongco, DDM, MAEd
- Master of Arts in Education, Major in Health Science Education
University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, 2003 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
University of the East, 1994
FACULTY:
Cornelio C. Aba, DDM
- Clinical Training Program in Advanced Restorative Dentistry
Loma Linda University, 2003 - Diploma in Dental Public Health
University of the Philippines, 1981 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
Manila Central University, 1971
Demuel Dee L. Berto, MD
- Master in Public Health, in Progress
Adventist University of the Philippines - Doctor of Medicine
University of the East, 2003
Walter B. del Rosario, DDM, MAEd
- Master of Arts in Education, Major in Health Sciences Education
University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, 2007 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
De Ocampo Memorial Colleges, 1983
Deborah Cynthia T. Gatchalian, DDM
- Master in Public Health, in Progress
Adventist University of the Philippines - Doctor of Dental Medicine
CentroEscolar University, 1984
Arvin B. Laguna, DDM, MAEd
- Doctor of Philosophy, Major in Educational Management Candidate
University of Perpetual Help Rizal - Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management
University of Perpetual Help Rizal, 2007 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
University of the Philippines, 1997
Vicky C. Mergal, PhD
- Doctor of Philosophy, Major in Biological Sciences
University of Santo Tomas, 2002 - Master of Science in Biology
Adventist University of the Philippines, 1997 - Bachelor of Science in Education
Mountain View College, 1981
Maria Lourdes Peñaranda-Morales, DDM
- Master of Arts in Educational Administration Candidate
University of Perpetual Help System Rizal - Cert. in Endodontics and Occupational Dentistry
JohnF. Cotton Hospital, 1993 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
University of the Philippines, 1991
Walter R. Suarez, DDM, MPH
- Master in Public Health
University of the Philippines, 1999
- Post-Graduate Comprehensive Training in Orthodontics
Center for Orthodontic Training Seminars, 2002 - Doctor of Dental Medicine
ManilaCentral University, 1997
Uriel L. Zarsaga, DDM
- Master in Public Health, in Progress
University of the Philippines - Doctor of Dental Medicine
Adventist University of the Philippines, 2007