A team of the Heads of Moscow Clinics, Russia (Moscow Metropolitan Governance Yury Luzhkow University) visited the Faculty of Dental Sciences, on 02.12.2022 in a mission to educate themselves on the Health Care system in Sri Lanka. The team visited different clinics in the Dental Hospital and the Deans Office of the Faculty of Dental Sciences. The visit would strengthen the health-related co-operation between Sri Lanka and Russian universities.

Perusall is an online social learning platform, designed to ensure every student is engaged with course material by creating social interactions between students that are embedded directly inside of course content. A workshop organized by the Dental E-Learning Unit (DELU) on "Maximizing flipped learning using PERUSALL" was held on 22nd November 2022 for the academic members. The resource person for the workshop was Prof. R.G. Ragel, Professor in Computer Engineering, Head/Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya. DELU wishes to appreciate the contributions made by Prof Ragel in introducing this useful tool that could be used effectively as a pedagogical approach.

A panel of experts from the GSL Dental Collage, India, visited the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya on 3rd November 2022. This visit was organized by the Center for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC). The expert panel was welcomed by the Dean/ FDS Professor Manual Attygalla, and Director / CROC Professor Ruwan Jayasinghe, together with the academic staff members. This occasion was graced by the vice chancellor, Professor M. D Lamawase. The expert panel introduced novel concepts such as the applications of stimulations, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in Dental education. Further, they offered opportunities for student exchange programs, knowledge sharing activities, joint conference in collaboration with CROC, and invited a team of academic members to visit the stimulation lab at GSL Dental Collage in the coming year. This meeting opened avenues for many fruitful outcomes such as knowledge exchange in Dental higher education, possibility of a joint conference and research collaborations.

The Freshers' Welcome for the 2019-2020 batch of dental undergraduates was held on 29th of October 2022 at Prof. K. Bambaradeniya Auditorium, Faculty of Dental Sciences. It was organized by the '18 batch of undergraduates. All the members of the Dental family, including the dean, lecturers and students of senior batches participated in this spectacular moment. This events were performed by all the batches to entertain freshers.

Two lectures ‘Research in Clinical Practice’ and ‘Applied Anatomy & Clinical Correlates’ were done by Prof Georg Dias from University of Otago, New Zeeland for the staff, post graduate and undergraduate students on 27th & 28th October 2022.This event was organized by the UDDE, Faculty of Dental Sciences.

Clinical induction ceremony of the fourth semester dental students (2018/19) was held on 12th October 2022 at the K. Bambaradeniya auditorium of the Faculty of Dental Sciences. Prof. RM Mudiyanse, Director of the Staff Development Center of the University of Peradeniya gave the keynote speech. Dental students, academic and nonacademic staff participated in the event in person. Parents of the 2018/19 batch of students joined the event online..

The opening ceremony of the annual sports fiesta “DENTS GAMES 2022”, organized by 2016/2017 batch of Faculty of Dental Sciences was held on 13th September 2022 at the faculty premises followed by checkers tournament. This year, the tournaments will be held throughout the months of September and October. It will be participated by students, academic and nonacademic staff members of the Faculty of Dental Sciences.

Dental Students' Research Symposium-STURESY 2022, themed "Z generation research for a better tomorrow" was successfully held on 17th September 2022. This year STURESY-2022 was unique because it provided a platform for 24 undergraduate and 3 postgraduate research presentations. The highlight of the day was the award ceremony, where the students with the best presentations were rewarded with medals and commendable certificates. The gold medal and the KSM research prize were won by Miss S. M. Range, Miss P. H. P. Rodrigo and Mr R. P. S. S. Rathnayake for their presentation titled "Impact of Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Sensitivity on Acute Pain Experience and its Recalled Ratings in Healthy Dental Students".

University of Peradeniya entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India recently. Professor MD Lamawansa, Vice chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and Dr Sheeja S Varghese, Registrar of SIMATS were the signatories.
The purpose of this MOU is to develop co-operation and promote mutual understanding and excellence in practice-based education, research and knowledge exchange between the parties with regard to Dentistry.

The opening of the Smile Train new building of the Faculty of Dental Sciences was ceremonially held on 23rd August 2022, by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. M. D Lamawansa and the Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. M.T Madhujith. This occasion was graced by Prof Manjula Attygalla, Dean/Faculty of Dental Sciences, Deans of other faculties of the University, Prof Parakrama Wijekoon, Director/ Smile Train Cleft Center together with board of management, academic staff and non-academic staff members, clinicians and representatives of the Health ministry.

Ms. Sneha Lopes, a 4th year dental student from the University of Plymouth, UK has successfully completed her elective training appointment at the Dental (Teaching) Hospital and the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya from 04.07.2022 -18.07.2022.

Certificate awarding ceremony for Ms. Lopes was held on 18.07.2022 with the participation of the Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya at the Faculty Board Room.

The opening of the research laboratory of the CROC, Faculty of Dental Sciences was pronounced with a modest ceremony on 03rd August 2022, by the vice chancellor, Prof. M. D Lamawansa and the deputy vice chancellor Prof. M. T Madhujith. This occasion was graced by Prof Manjula Attygalla, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Deans of other faculties of the University, academic staff and non-academic members, clinicians and representatives of the Health ministry. The director, Prof R.D Jayasinghe invited all parties to join hands with CROC for collaborative research in laboratory, experimental, epidemiological and clinical aspects of oral cancer.

The welcome ceremony for the new entrants of the Faculty of Dental Sciences was held via Zoom on 30th May 2022. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. AM Attygalla, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences. This was followed by the Vice Chancellor’s speech. Prof. MD Lamawansa, Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya joined the ceremony via zoom.
Prof. BMHSK Banneheka, Chairman of the Student Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC), Prof. A. Tilakaratne - Co-ordinator, Undergraduate Unit and Prof. E.M.U.C.K Herath, Chairperson/Counselling and Career Guidance Committee also addressed the gathering on this occasion.

The online English programme for the 2020/2021 entrants will commence on 06th June 2022.

Ambassador of Japan, H. E. Mr. MIZUKOSHI, Chief Representative of JICA, Sri Lanka Mr. Yamada and a Japanese delegation visited the Faculty of Dental Sciences and the Dental Teaching Hospital, University of Peradeniya on the 25th February, 2022. This visit was in line with the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka and JICA collaborations.

Prof. MD Lamawansa, Vice chancellor of the UPDN, Prof. T Mudujith, Deputy Vice chancellor of the UPDN, Prof. N Alles, Director INRO, UPDN, Director Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya and the Deputy director, Dental Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya and the Academic and Non academic staff of the Faculty of Dental Sciences participated in this occasion. Prof. M Attygalla, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences presented the developments of the faculty since inception of the JICA grant and highlighted the today’s needs and requirements of the faculty to the delegation.

iPURSE 2021 organized by the Faculty of Arts was successfully held on 11th and 12th of November 2021. Academic staff of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, contributed 12 oral and 03 poster presentations under the themes; COVID 19: issues and solutions, Health & Society and Education for Transformation. "Effect of Sri Lankan herbal formulas on cariogenic bacteria, use of eruption status of teeth to predict gender and effects of COVID-19 pandemic on dental students' performance at examinations" were few of the interesting papers presented at this event.
In keeping with the current COVID pandemic related restrictions pre-recorded presentations were played at the event with the presenting authors responding to questions posed by conference chair Emeritus Prof N. A. de S. Amaratunga and the discussant Prof J.A.M.S Jayathilake.
A highlight of the closing ceremony, two eminent scholars from the faculty, Prof S.L Ekanayake and Prof. W.M Tilakaratne received "Tier 4 research awards" for their substantial contribution to scientific literature.

Prof Manjula Attygalla, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery was unanimously elected as the new dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences on 06th August 2021. At this event, the new Vice Chancellor of University, Prof. M. D. Lamawansa thanked the incumbent dean Dr. Vajira Jayasinghe who steered the faculty to achieve an ‘A’ grade in the programme review in 2019 and urged the new dean to implement the recommendations of the programme review report and steer the faculty towards better ranks.

The outstanding researchers of the Faculty of Dental Sciences were awarded certificates for their contribution towards research in the year 2020 at the Faculty board meeting held on 3rd August 2021. The most outstanding researchers in the Tier I category were Prof. Ruwan Jayasinghe and Prof. Primali Jayasooriya while those in the Tier II category were Dr. Indika Tilakumara, Dr. Nishanthi Vithanaarachchi, Dr. Manori Jayasinghe, Dr. Nadeena Jayasuriya and Dr. Madhavi Paranagama.

The Comprehensive care unit, Implant unit and the Skills laboratory of the faculty were ceremonially opened on 29th July 2021. The vice chancellor - Prof Upul Dissanayake was the chief guest of this occasion. The deputy vice chancellor - Prof Parakrama Karunaratne, former director of the AHEAD project - Prof Buddhi Marambe, current director of the AHEAD project - Prof Ruwan Jayasinghe and the dean of the faculty - Dr Vajira Jayasinghe were also present. Rest of the academic and nonacademic staff members participated in the event via zoom from K. Bambaradeniya auditorium.

The welcome ceremony for the new entrants of the Faculty of Dental Sciences was conducted via Zoom on 12th July 2021.

Donation of nineteen (19) used microscopes to eleven (11) schools in the central province by the Department of Basic Sciences was held on 9th February 2021 at the Board Room, Faculty of Dental Sciences. The Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Head, Department of Basic Sciences, Assistant Registrar/FDS, academic staff members of the Department of Basic Sciences, representatives from the General Service Department and Security Division of UoP and teachers and principals of the schools were participated at the ceremony. This is the first time that used microscopes are donated to school by the Faculty of Dental Sciences.

Mr. D. D. Ihalagedara, Mr. R. M. A. Rathnakumara, and Mr. D. K. G. D. S. B. Wijerathna of the Department of Basic Sciences were awarded the best performed technical officer, laboratory attendant and work aid, respectively in recognition of the most outstanding performance and contribution to the Department of Basic Sciences in the year 2019. Parameters evaluated were contribution to academic development and research, other significant contributions to the institute, punctuality and attendance,attitudes and outlook to work, leadership and personality and reliability and responsibility.

The library orientation programme for the new entrants (2018/2019 batch) of the Faculty Dental Sciences was successfully completed in the months of February and March. This programme consisted of 4 sessions which included introduction to the medical and dental libraries, practical session on proper use of library facilities, registration in the library and a visit to the main library. Seventy eight students participated in this programme and the resource persons were Mr. Sunil Premarathne, senior assistant librarian, dental sciences library and Ms. Dilani Abeyrathne, senior assistant librarian, medical library.

Diploma awards ceremony of the Dental Auxiliary Training School was held on 11th February 2020 at the K Bambaradeniya Auditorium Faculty of Dental Sciences. Dr. JAVP Jayasinghe, the Dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences graced this occasion as the chief guest. Dr. IP Thilakumara the Director / DATS delivered the welcome address. This event took place with the participation of Cnl. Anoja Weerakon, Deputy Director / Sri Lanka Army Dental Servicers, Wing Commander Pradeep Jayashantha representative Sri Lanka Air Force / Dental Services, many academic and non academic staff members of the faculty, diploma recipients and the present trainees of the DATS.

In his speech, the chief guest Dr. JAVP Jayasinghe highlighted the contribution of the Dental Auxiliaries as important members of the Dental team. He further advised the Diploma recipients to keep up with the modern technology when they start to practice at their respective institutions.

This was the first ever awards ceremony held to award a Higher Diploma in Dental Technology and Diploma in Dental Assisting. Total of 43 Dental Auxiliaries attached to Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Ministry of Health and Faculty of Dental Sciences were awarded the respective Diplomas.

The acting matron of the Dental Teaching Hospital, Mrs. Shiroma Senevirathne proposed the vote of thanks on this occation.

Workshop on clinical photography for academic and non-academic staff was held on 21st January 2020 at E Lab. Mr. Chanuka Thiyambarawatta, Professional Photographer and Prof. AM Attygalla, Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were the resource persons of this workshop. Both academic and non academic staff members who participated in this workshop had a very good experience in how to use mobile phone in clinical photography, how to improve a photo and hands on session in taking photographs with a mobile device and editing using mobile app and photoshop. This workshop was organized by Director, DELU together with the executive committee of the Dental Faculty E-Learning Unit.

The welcome ceremony for the new entrants of the Faculty of Dental Sciences was held on 13th January 2020 at the K. Bambaradeniya auditorium of the faculty. The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice chancellor, and the Deans of the Faculties of University of Peradeniya. At this event, Emeritus Professor A.N.I. Ekanayake, a former dean of the faculty, inspired the new entrants with his inaugural speech. Present first year students entertained their new-coming brothers and sisters with dance and music to make this a pleasant and memorable event for them.

News - 2019

News - 2018

News - 2017