About the department

Right from the time the University of Tromsø was established in 1968, work has been underway to establish a dentistry programme in Tromsø. Since 1998, there has been strong engagement from regional politicians, the public dental service and UiT to realise an adequate programme to provide training for clinical degree here in Tromsø.

The Norwegian parliament supported the government's clear priority to establish a dentistry programme in Tromsø during its handling of the revised State budget for 2002.  The following provisions formed the basis for the parliamentary resolution:


- This education should solve the shortage of dentists in Norway
- This education should in particular cover the need for dentists and specialists in Northern 
   Norway
- This education should be decentralised and particularly focus on the tasks in the public 
  dental service

The necessary funding for planning was allocated in the Norwegian State budget for 2003 and the Department of Clinical Dentistry (IKO) was established as a department under the Faculty of Medicine. The most important tasks during the planning phase were the development of a programme description for the programme and a strategic plan for the department, a staffing plan for the academic and administrative staff and planning of the dental building (TANN).  The plans were approved in 2004 - 2005 and the new building was officially opened in 2007.

The first class of 13 students commenced their studies in the autumn semester of 2004. The number of students admitted each year has gradually increased to a level set at 40 students per annum from 2007.

TANN Building
The TANN Building houses the programmes for dentistry and dental care as well as the Public Dental Service Competence Centre of Northern Norway (TkNN).

The programmes for dentistry and dental care, the Dental Health Service's regional competence centre and the specialist training of dentists are located in joint premises adjacent to the university campus.

This building is owned by the Troms County Council, with the University of Tromsø as a tenant.

Organisation

The Department of Clinical Dentistry is responsible for the final three clinical years of the programme in dentistry. The first two years of the programme are organized in collaboration with the Department of Medical Biology, which is responsible for this component of the programme.

Administration and management
Responsible: Head of Department: Ulf Thore Ørtengren
Teaching
Responsible: Chairperson of the Programme Board Arne Hensten

Research 
Responsible: Jan Bergdahl

Administration and operation
Responsible: Head of Office Rita Johansen

The two most important departmental organs are the Department Board and the Programme Board. Students are represented on both boards. As of January 1, 2009, the vocational training programme for dental hygienists is part of IKO as a consequence of the merger between Tromsø University College and the University of Tromsø.