Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit

The University of the Philippines College of Dentistry (UPCD) marked a historic landmark on July 17, 2025, with the inauguration of its Digital Dental Laboratory at the Center for Oral Health. It is the first of its kind among dental academic institutions in the Philippines to begin integrating digital dentistry into undergraduate and continuing education programs.

“This afternoon marks a landmark in the history of dental education in the Philippines,” said UPCD Dean Dr. Michelle Segarra. “We aim to be the first dental academic institution to integrate digital dentistry, computer-aided design, and computer-aided manufacturing in our undergraduate, and continuing dental education courses.”

Dean Segarra shared that the inspiration for the initiative began at the 2022 Southeast Asian Association of Dental Educators conference, where she learned about digital dentistry integration in Hanoi. This paved the way to the training of seven UPCD faculty members by the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan. 

With support from the UP Manila administration and funds from the UP Manila Development Fund under Dentistry, the college proceeded to acquire high-end equipment, including intraoral scanners, 3D printers, and facial scanners. Dean Segarra shared that they sought further support from the UP Manila administration to fund the next phase: computer-aided manufacturing. This included the purchase of milling machines—both dry and wet types—zirconia disks, and furnaces to complete the full range of digital dentistry capabilities. 

“We will be known as the first dental academic institution in the country to have a full-blown digital dentistry technology,” she said.

She announced that just two weeks prior to the inauguration, the college hosted a seminar featuring Dr. Hsuan Chen from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Overwhelmed by the interest of the faculty during the training, Dr. Chen later expressed his willingness to support the development of the program and even offered to serve as a visiting professor.

Assistant Professor Dr. Arnon Rivera emphasized that while the tools are essential, the heart of the laboratory lies in its people. “It’s your heart, your expertise, and the belief of our patients. “We do not discriminate against those who cannot afford or can afford but cannot find the treatment. In the Center for Oral Health, we are here to provide that kind of service,” he said.

The inauguration also featured a comprehensive walkthrough of the laboratory’s facilities, designed to showcase both current capabilities and future needs. “The walkthrough will be, because we want to show what we have and what we still need,” said Dr. Rivera. He invited UP President Angelo Jimenez to be a volunteer patient for the demonstration of the facial scanner, highlighting the importance of extraoral scanning not just in orthodontics but also in forensics. 

Visitors were guided through several stations demonstrating key technologies including facial scanning, 3D printing, intraoral scanning, and design rooms where treatment plans are digitally crafted. Demonstrations included facial scanning and live intraoral scans. 

Dr. Rivera also showcased industrial 3D printers adapted for dental-grade materials. “We had to be smart. These are industrial machines, but the materials are dental-grade,” he explained. The lab includes capabilities for printing temporary teeth, anatomical models, and even instruments tailored to Filipino sizes.

The walkthrough culminated in discussions on sustainability, with Dr. Rivera advocated for the use of biodegradable resin and the potential for metal printing—including titanium. 

UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez underscored the university’s strategic direction: “The value proposition of the university is not just to train great dentists, great doctors, or even great lawyers. It’s about developing leaders—that is the value proposition. So, we don’t really have to mass-produce graduates. We just have to make sure that our graduates are not only competent, but also leaders.”

He stressed that UP must become a leader in new knowledge, research and innovation, especially in critical technologies like genetics, nuclear science, semiconductors, space technology, and artificial intelligence.

“Technology is key, and innovation is the heart of it. What’s the purpose of technology if you don’t innovate?” Jimenez asked. “If our work in the labs doesn’t go out and serve the people, it is a major moral issue.”

UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee congratulated the college and emphasized the role of faculty in sustaining the program. “What we’re inaugurating now is not just the equipment being used. Rather, this is a gathering to recognize our leadership vision and, secondly, to emphasize the training of our people,” he said.

Dr. Tee encouraged UPCD to share its expertise with other institutions, noting, “The new chair of CHED… gusto niyang ang lahat ng ginagawa ng UP ay maging successful din at magawa din ng iba’t ibang SUCs.”

As the College of Dentistry moves forward, its leadership emphasized that continued support is crucial to sustain, expand, and maximize the full potential of the digital dental laboratory. This support will ensure that the laboratory not only remains a pioneer in innovation but also a pillar of accessible, high-quality dental education and public service in the Philippines.

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