31 October 2022 — Dr. Michelle Sunico-Segarra, an alumna and professor at the UP Manila College of Dentistry (CD) and holder of a PhD in Dental Sciences from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), was invested as the new dean on Sept. 30, 2022. 

The new dean seeks to address the perennial problem of  low graduation rate among CD students by reviewing the Patient Care Based (PCB) Clinical Training Program of her predecessor Dean Danilo Magtanong, and implement it by the second semester of SY 2022-2023. Put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PCB aims to facilitate the attainment of the required clinical skills by comprehensive treatment of each patient’s dental needs. The number-based requirements system, considered one of the causes of delayed graduation, will be reevaluated. 

She will expedite the transition back to face-to-face classes with patients to facilitate graduation of clinicians who have been held back by the pandemic and collaborate with the Philippine General Hospital Department of Hospital Dentistry for a possible patient pool.  

Additionally, Dean Segarra hopes to facilitate the completion and approval of the proposed Masters Program in Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and Endodontics; as well as  the completion and approval of the curricular changes for the Masters of Science in Orthodontics Program, through round table and focused discussions with the different stakeholders including dental specialty groups.

Dr. Segarra has 30 years of teaching experience in the CD that started after her graduation in the same college in 1992. She has held several administrative positions such as Head of Section of Operative Dentistry, Chairman of the Department of Clinical Dental Health Sciences, Assistant to the Dean, and Chairman of the Department of Basic Dental Health Sciences. These posts, with her active involvement in college committees, have given her vital experiences and insights about leadership and the College.

Her years as a PhD student at the TMDU  taught her the latest trends and innovations in dentistry that will help her plan for research and publications, set-up a research laboratory; and widen her horizons and views on the dental educational system here and in other countries.  

She was a Research Fellow at the Nippon Dental University, Niigata, Japan from 1998-2000 and is a Doctor of Health Professions student at the UP Manila National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions. 

The UP Board of Regents approved the appointment of Dr. Segarra as new CD Dean during its meeting held on July 28, 2022.

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