Earning a dental degree is the first step toward becoming a dentist. Dental programs cover oral health, clinical care, surgical procedures, patient communication, and professional practice. Here, we will look at some of the best countries to study dentistry.
If you decide to pursue your dentistry education overseas, you will have a wider selection of respected dental schools from which to choose. Attending university in another country is also an excellent opportunity to experience a new culture while broadening your academic and professional horizons. Let’s take a look at the top countries to study dentistry abroad.
Top Countries to Study Dentistry
1. Sweden
Dental degree programs in Sweden’s best universities provide opportunities to put concepts into practice. Sweden’s learning approach can help students develop valuable clinical, research, and communication skills that will continue to benefit them throughout their professional careers.
Sweden remains a strong choice for dentistry because it has internationally recognized dental schools, including Karolinska Institute, which is ranked highly for dentistry. Students should note, however, that many professional dentistry programs in Sweden are taught in Swedish. For example, Karolinska Institute’s Study Programme in Dentistry is a 300-credit, full-time, on-campus program taught in Swedish, and the University of Gothenburg’s Dentistry Programme is a five-year, 300-credit program taught in Swedish.
The best schools offering dentistry degrees in Sweden include Karolinska Institute, the University of Gothenburg, and Malmö University.
2. China
- Best School/s: Sichuan University
- Reasons: Highly ranked dental schools, strong clinical training, established research, and modern facilities
Dental schools in China provide opportunities for students to learn through clinical practice, research, and modern dental technology. Sichuan University’s West China School of Stomatology is one of China’s historically important institutions for stomatology and dental research.
Universities in China offering strong dental programs include Sichuan University.
3. Belgium
Belgium is a great country to study dentistry because of its well-regarded universities, opportunities for international networking, and multicultural cities. Students should note that many dentistry programs in Belgium are taught in Dutch or French, so language requirements are an important part of the application process.
Lectures, seminars, technical sessions, clinical training, and hands-on labs may all be part of the curriculum to improve students’ clinical abilities. Depending on the university and degree level, students may also complete internships or clinical placements to gain practical experience.
The top universities that offer dental degree programs in Belgium are KU Leuven, Ghent University, and the University of Liège.
4. Brazil
Studying dentistry in Brazil can lead you to major public universities and research institutions. The University of São Paulo’s School of Dentistry promotes dental knowledge through teaching, research, and extension, and Brazil is home to several institutions with strong dental research output.
Admission requirements vary by institution and usually require Portuguese proficiency. For example, Rio de Janeiro State University states that admission to its undergraduate dentistry course is through its annual vestibular selection process.
Students interested in Brazil should also think carefully about career plans after graduation. Graduates who want to practice outside Brazil should verify licensing, professional registration, and degree-recognition rules in the country where they plan to work.
Brazil’s best schools that offer dental degree programs include the University of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro State University.
5. Denmark
Denmark offers a well-structured study environment. It has excellent dental schools that aim to give students a strong combination of theoretical education and hands-on experience. Like their counterparts in other European countries, dental students in Denmark receive both the theoretical and practical skills they need to succeed in the field after graduation.
At the University of Copenhagen, the dentistry degree path includes a bachelor’s program and a master’s program; completing both leads to the profession of practicing dentist. Aarhus University also emphasizes clinical and team-based dental education, with modern teaching facilities such as phantom heads, 3D-printed teaching materials, and virtual-reality dental training simulators.
Students should check language requirements before applying, as professional dentistry programs in Denmark are commonly taught in Danish.
The best universities for dentistry in Denmark are the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University.
6. Japan
In Japan, dental education places a strong emphasis on connecting theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Like other fields of medicine and health care, it begins with the fundamentals of academic knowledge before shifting toward clinical and evidence-based learning.
Institute of Science Tokyo’s Faculty of Dentistry includes a six-year School of Dentistry and offers education from basic dentistry to clinical dentistry. Hiroshima University and Nippon Dental University also offer six-year dentistry education pathways, with clinical and international learning opportunities.
If you are considering studying dentistry in Japan, some leading dental schools include Institute of Science Tokyo, Osaka University, Hiroshima University, and Nippon Dental University.
7. Australia
Dentistry can be a rewarding profession in Australia, with opportunities for clinical practice, professional development, and future private practice. However, international students should compare tuition fees, living costs, visa rules, and scholarships carefully, as Australia is not usually one of the cheapest destinations for dentistry.
Australian universities offer several dental degree structures. The University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Dental Surgery is a four-year, full-time, on-campus graduate-entry degree, while the University of Sydney offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine. Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a five-year, full-time-only program, and the University of Queensland and La Trobe University offer undergraduate dental science degrees.
The best dental schools in Australia include the University of Melbourne, Adelaide University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, and La Trobe University.
A wide range of opportunities can be unlocked by studying dentistry abroad. With these countries, you can pursue strong dental programs and enjoy distinct benefits, such as clinical training, research opportunities, developed dental sectors, and tuition options that vary widely by country. Make sure to also check out the world’s best universities to study dentistry to begin your path to a rewarding career in this industry.
We hope this article on the best countries to study dentistry was informative and insightful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
