The Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura offers a range of pre-clinicals and clinical elective student programmes with unique and enriching educational experience for international students. These programmes provide opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and experience in a variety of specialties and to develop a deeper understanding in the field of dentistry.
Students who participate have the chance to observe and assist experienced dental professionals in a real-life clinical setting while getting exposure to the tropical oral diseases prevalent in South Asia. The faculty provides clinical training through Professorial Dental Units at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, National Dental Hospital of Sri Lanka (which is the prime center of the country providing services for managing orofacial malignancies, cleft and craniofacial anomalies and craniomaxillofacial trauma), Institute of Oral Health, Maharagama and Welisara Navy Hospital. Elective students also can gain exposure to the Sri Lankan culture and way of life and have the opportunity to make new connections and build professional networks that can benefit them throughout their careers.
Clinical Disciplines
Faculty offers clinical electives in the following disciplines
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Medicine and diagnostics
- Oral Pathology
- Restorative Dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- Periodontology
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Dental Public Health
How to Apply
The coordinator for international affairs is responsible for arranging your elective programme according to your requirements. The duration of the elective programme is 2 weeks to 8 weeks and can be extended on requirement. However, you are not allowed to provide clinical care for patients.
To enroll in the programme, please send the following to dean.fds@sjp.ac.lk
- Duly filled application (Click here to download)
- A brief CV
- A letter from your medical / dental school confirming your studentship and permission to work as an elective student
- Receipt of payment of course fee
An Application can be sent at any time of the course of the year. The maximum duration offered is 8 weeks for a calendar year. One student is only allowed 3 elective programmes for a lifetime. You may spend the entire period in one department or rotate between different departments. It is advised to send your application at least 3 months prior to the intended commencement of the attachment.
Once your application is accepted and approved, you will receive the letter of enrollment signed by the Dean. This confirms that a position in the International elective programme is reserved for you.
Course Fee
Elective students are required to pay a fee once your position is confirmed. The specified amount need to be credited to the below mentioned account:
Account name: University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Account number: 097100120027004
Bank Name: Peoples Bank, Bank code: 7135
Branch: Gangodawila, Branch code: 097
US$ 400 for up to four weeks elective attachment
US$ 550 for five to eight weeks elective attachment
A scanned copy of the elective payment slip need to be emailed to the, dean.fds@sjp.ac.lk
An elective student will have to bear the financial costs including travel, accommodation and living expenses during his/her stay in Sri Lanka.
Planning Your Visit
Visa: Visa can be obtained from the Sri Lankan high commission / embassy in your country. Details regarding visa can be obtained from http//www.immigration.gov.lk
The Department of Immigration & Emigration of Sri Lanka operates a service to issue visa online “Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)” link: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa
Currency Exchange
The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Money exchange can conveniently be done at branches of banks and money exchangers kiosks located at Colombo International airport, Katunayake. International credit cards are accepted in almost all hotels and many other stores, including supermarkets.
Travelling from the Airport to Hotel
The journey from the airport to the city of Colombo takes about 30-45 min by taxi. You can also reserve these before you travel. Most travel information sites (Eg: Trip Adviser) will guide you on selection of hotel accommodation.
Accommodation
On campus accommodation is not available for elective students. However, the directorate of international affairs can facilitate finding suitable accommodation in the vicinity of the university on prior request.
According to your budget and requirements, various accommodation facilities are available. (Star class hotels, luxury apartments, guest houses, small houses (annexes) and rooms) Details of these accommodation facilities can be found on the web or weekend newspapers (Eg: Sunday Observer, Sunday Times)
This is a list compiled using only the feedback given by previous medical elective students. We are publishing this merely to help you to find your accommodation. We have no contact what so ever with the management of these places. So it is entirely your responsibility to find a safe accommodation on your own.
- 06, Ebenezer Place, Dehiwala.
Tel: +94 11 2717837, +94 71 7315299 - Clock Inn Hostel
457, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 112 500588 - Mala Seneviratne
Tel: 0777173310
araliyams@yahoo.com
Dress Code
Please take note that certain types of clothing are not deemed appropriate within the hospital or university, including shorts, tights, short dresses, vests, tank tops, slippers/flip flops, and bright, flashy, colored apparel. To visit the hospital during the day, wear long pants, light-colored short (or long, but folded) sleeve shirts, and formal shoes. Inside the wards, students are required to wear clinical coat. Please be aware that we are not providing the clinical coats for the elective students.
Important Notices
- You are expected to wear clinical coats inside the wards. Please bring your own clinical coat.
- Please note that the month of April is a holiday season in Sri Lanka and most of the activities get slowed down during mid-April. Hospital will still be functioning, yet the turnover of patients may be lower than usual.
- Staying beyond the granted time period is unethical and thus such incidents will be reported back to their medical school.
- Remember to fill and hand over the feedback form to your supervisor at the end of the appointment. (Click here to download)