UOD, August 3, 2026, University Press Office (UNPO) | Smiles, celebration, and a shared sense of achievement marked the graduation photo session of the College of Dentistry at the University of Duhok (UOD), as the Class of 2026 celebrated the successful completion of one of the University's most demanding academic programs. The occasion captured more than memorable photographs—it celebrated years of perseverance, professional growth, and the beginning of a lifelong commitment to improving oral health across the Kurdistan Region and beyond.

Established in November 2008, the College of Dentistry has become one of UOD's leading health science colleges, offering a five-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) program that combines rigorous academic education with extensive clinical training. Upon graduation, students complete a compulsory one-year supervised clinical internship at specialized centers of the Ministry of Health, gaining practical experience in conservative dentistry, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontology, oral diagnosis, pediatric dentistry, preventive dentistry, and orthodontics.

Through its specialized academic branches—Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Conservative Dentistry, Dental Basic Sciences, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Prevention, Orthodontics, and Pedodontics—the College provides a comprehensive dental education that integrates scientific knowledge with hands-on clinical practice, preparing graduates for successful careers in modern dentistry.

A cornerstone of the College's educational experience is its Dental Teaching Center, inaugurated in 2012 and expanded in 2013. Equipped with modern dental clinics, radiology facilities, laboratories, and advanced treatment units, the center enables students to gain invaluable hands-on clinical experience under the close supervision of experienced specialists and faculty members. This practical approach ensures graduates enter the workforce with both confidence and competence.

Graduates of the College are prepared for diverse career pathways within the Ministry of Health, public hospitals, private dental clinics, specialized healthcare centers, academic institutions, and research organizations. Through comprehensive clinical education and patient-centered training, they are equipped to meet the growing healthcare needs of society while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and compassion.

The graduation celebration reflected the pride shared by students, faculty members, and friends who gathered to commemorate this important milestone. Every photograph captured not only academic success but also the dedication, resilience, and aspirations that define the newest generation of dental professionals.

Click here to view the graduation photo gallery

Editor’s note: information is quoted from the College of Dentistry website page.

University Press Office, August 3, 2026
Reported by: FAtima Mahmood Ali
Photography: Ali Habib Habib, Mohammed A. Tahar, Harman Jangeer Ahmed, Mehvan M. Salih