History

Twelve graduate institutes of dentistry were established in Taiwan over the recent decade. These graduate institutes primarily uniformly focus either on clinical dentistry or on basic science of dentistry. Since there were no graduate institutes to combine clinical dentistry, craniofacial medicine and related basic science, Chang Gung University responded to this need by formally establishing its Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science in 2002.

After thirty years of development, Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has become one of the largest outpatient dental centers in Taiwan. Besides providing high-quality care, this dental department has also trained many of the specialists and family dentists now working throughout Taiwan. In addition, the craniofacial center providing care for cleft lip and craniofacial anomaly is an excellent example of the integrated team care of dental and medical professions. To integrate medical and dental profession in craniofacial area, the Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science will bring together all professions in clinical dentistry, craniofacial medicine, and the related basic science. We hope that this graduate institute will promote academic interchange, inspire integrated research projects, train professional manpower, and improve standards of medical and dental service.

• In August of 2000, Dr. Chiung-Shing Huang laid the groundwork for the establishment of the "Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science" and served as its first director.
• In August of 2001, the "Graduate Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Science" was formally established, with its location at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center Education Building.
• In May of 2002, the institute admitted its first cohort of students for the academic year 2002.
• In September of 2007, the institute officially moved to the fourth floor of the Chang Gung University Second Medical Building.

Mission

• The mission of the institute is to integrate clinical and related basic medical knowledge in dental and craniofacial science, with a commitment to enhancing research, education, and healthcare quality in this field.

Features

• Our institute integrates dental and craniofacial-related medical disciplines, which is unique in Taiwan. We aim to broaden students' horizons and fields of study, emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, cultivate professionals, and conduct distinctive team-based medical research.
• We collaborate with the Graduate Institute of Information Engineering to develop craniofacial imaging and with the Institute of Medical Mechatronics to develop craniofacial biomechanics. We also collaborate with the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and the Institute of Clinical Medicine to explore craniofacial and oral cell physiology.
• Our courses are conducted entirely in English, and we actively participate in international research and academic discussions. We host international conferences as well.
• We integrate clinical research with basic medical science, with a focus on craniofacial imaging, biomechanics, tissue engineering, and genetic research.
• Our program combines specialist physician training with research, aiming to enhance healthcare quality."

Education Focuses

• The integration of medical image resources to promote high quality training in craniofacial image. 
• The integration of biomechanics resources to promote high quality training in craniofacial biomechanics. 
• The integration of cell physiology resources to promote high quality training in craniofacial cell physiology.

Prospect

1. Improve quality in craniofacial medicine education
   1. Competitive students are recruited in multiple ways.
   2. Faculty staff is provided with opportunities of professional training.
   3. Specialist physicians are trained to enhance their professional improvement skills according to the training curriculum of specialist physicians.
2. Improve quality in craniofacial medicine research
   1. Basic and clinical research is integrated to make advances at the frontiers of the craniofacial field.
   2. Automation of craniofacial treatments is enabled by computer technology.
   3. Various funding opportunities will be inquired to support new research.
3. Participate in the international community of craniofacial medicine
   1. Renowned scholars are invited as visiting professors.
   2. International graduate students are admitted in the institute. Class lectures are taught in English to cultivate physicians to have an international perspective.
   3. International cooperation projects are encouraged to build a more comprehensive and resourceful research environment for our students.

Characteristics

• Our teaching approach is primarily problem-based learning, emphasizing evidence-based medicine, interdisciplinary integration, international collaboration, and English instruction. Learning through practical experience, our goal is to train physicians who not only possess specialist qualifications but also have the ability to identify and solve problems and experience personal growth.
• Our research primarily focuses on craniofacial imaging and biomechanics. We integrate faculty expertise from information engineering and medical mechatronics research institutes to establish craniofacial and oral imaging biomechanical models, pioneering 3D craniofacial and oral healthcare.
• We integrate resources from the Chang Gung Hospital Craniofacial Medicine Research Center and collaborate with resources from Chang Gung University, Yang-Ming University, and Tsing Hua University to pioneer research in craniofacial imaging, mechanics, tissue engineering, and materials.