The A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences was founded in the year 1985 by the Nitte Education Trust with the objective of making available up-to-date training facilities to produce dental professionals and to help meet the country's growing health-care requirements. The A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences offers Graduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral training facilities. The Institution is a constituent unit of the Nitte University and is recognized by the Dental Council of India.

The ABSM Institute of Dental Sciences is among the better equipped dental colleges in the country. All departments have state-of-the-art diagnostic and research equipments. The Institute's commitment to maintaining the highest standards pervades all aspects of dentistry irrespective of cost or effort involved. The Institute constantly strives to upgrade its capabilities by participating in exchange programmes with national and international institutions.