Dentistry is one of the most comprehensive areas of medicine. It includes such disciplines as Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Pathology, Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics. All of these sub-disciplines are usually taught separately.

Structure of Dentistry study programs

Usually a Bachelor degree in Dentistry is enough to start clinical practice, but many countries also require a licensure passing.

Some universities also provide Associate study programs in Dentistry, which last two or three years and consist of basic courses in Dentistry and Medical care. An associate degree do not let its graduates to start clinical practice as dentist, but graduates holding as associate degree in Dentistry can assist dentists during various procedures, take care of patients after these procedures, monitor their medical history and do administrative work in dentistry clinics.

A Bachelor degree in Dentistry usually lasts from five to six years. It includes basic core courses in Anesthesiology and all dentistry subdisciplines, but emphasis is focused on the chosen specialization. The curriculum of Dentistry degree usually consists of lectures and seminars, with a great emphasis on practical lessons. Usually students need to undertake an internship in a dentistry clinic.

Entry requirements

Admission to Dentistry degrees is extremely competitive, so applicants for undergraduate study programs in Dentistry need to have excellent grades in Biology and Chemistry. Sometimes high grades in Maths are also mandatory. Applicants need to demonstrate passion for dentistry - a good motivation letter is always needed. Many universities also ask applicants to pass an interview with academic stuff.

Applicants wishing to study Dentistry need to pass screening for blood borne viruses (Hepatitis B and C, and HIV). Applicants need to take a full course of medication to prevent Hepatitis B infection. A Disclosure for Criminal Convictions is mandatory for many study programs in Dentistry.

Best Universities

According to QS Top Universities Ranking by Subject 2016-2017, the best institution with specialization in Dentistry and related areas is the University of Hong Kong. You can search the profile of the Hong Kong University on our website to find study programs or all needed information about education process in this university. The list of other world leading institutions with study programs in Dentistry include: University of Michigan, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, King's College London, Harvard University, UCL (University College London), Karolinska Institutet, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), KU Leuven, University of Gothenburg and New York University (NYU). All these universities can be found on our website.