University of Rwanda graduates its inaugural class of dentists in the Fall of 2018. The seven and a half year journey began in 2011 when Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) became a leading partner in the effort to launch the new dental school and bachelor of dental surgery degree program at the University. Ten students graduated from the five-year program the first year, increasing the number of registered dentists in Rwanda by more than 25 percent. This milestone provides greater access to oral health in a country of 12 million people.
The initiative started with Partners In Health (PIH), the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Rwandan ministries of health and education. Together, the entities launched the Rwanda Human Resources for Health (HRH) Program – a program to advance medical education and improve health care delivery systems in the country.