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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