Dentistry is a career focused on promoting oral hygiene and diagnosing and treating problems with the gums, teeth, and mouth. Dentists help protect oral health by using modern technology and tools to maintain healthy teeth and diagnose and treat oral problems. This includes tasks such as filling cavities, removing tooth decay, giving anesthesia, and checking the growth and alignment of teeth.
Did you know that early examples of the toothbrush are often traced to China? The modern bristle toothbrush is widely linked to China, although earlier tooth-cleaning tools existed in other ancient civilizations. China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations and had a population of about 1.408 billion at the end of 2024. Modern dental education in China is commonly taught under the name “stomatology,” and the West China Union University dentistry department, established in 1917, is often cited as an important early institution in China’s modern dental education history. Today, dental education in China is open to international students at selected universities, and some institutions still offer English-taught programs. China offers Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or stomatology degrees, depending on the university and program.
There are several reasons why you may consider studying dentistry in China. First, Chinese dental schools are attached to major medical universities and teaching hospitals, and some programs have undergone official accreditation or evaluation. Second, dental programs in China include classroom learning, laboratory work, and clinical training. Third, some English-taught BDS programs have annual tuition that is lower than tuition in many Western countries, although fees vary by university and should always be checked on the official admissions page before applying.
If you are ready to get started with your dental education in China, here are 5 steps to give you an overview of what you should complete before you can start practicing the profession:
How to Become a Dentist in China
Step 1. Pass the National Entrance Exam to Apply for Dental School
The first step toward becoming a dentist in China depends on whether you are applying as a domestic or international student. Chinese students usually apply to undergraduate dental or stomatology programs through the national college entrance examination, known as the gaokao. The gaokao resumed in 1977 and is now taken over two to four days, depending on the province and subject choices. In most provincial-level regions, students take Chinese, mathematics, and English, plus three additional academic subjects of their choice.
International applicants should follow the requirements of their chosen university. Starting with the 2026/2027 academic year, bachelor’s degree applicants to Chinese universities are expected to take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) before submitting applications. The CSCA includes language and academic readiness testing and is used by universities as a reference for admissions and scholarship review. Students should confirm which CSCA subjects are required for dentistry or stomatology with each university.
Step 2. Apply to Your Preferred Dental School
Several educational institutions in China offer dentistry or stomatology programs through medical universities, medical colleges, and teaching hospitals. One well-known institution is Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology; however, international students should note that its official page states that it does not currently offer undergraduate stomatology programs for international students and instead offers graduate and continuing education programs.
International students looking for an English-taught undergraduate BDS program may consider schools that officially list BDS admissions for international applicants. For example, Wenzhou Medical University lists an English-taught BDS program for international students. Its 2026 BDS guide lists the program as 5 years, with tuition of RMB 33,000 per year. That is approximately US$4,800 per year, or about US$24,200 for five years before accommodation, insurance, books, and other fees. Applicants should generally be 18–30 years old, non-Chinese citizens with a valid foreign passport, high school graduates or equivalent, and should meet the program’s academic, health, and university conduct requirements.
Step 3. Complete Dental Education to Earn a BDS Degree
After admission, the next step to becoming a dentist in China is to complete dental education. A common undergraduate stomatology or BDS pathway is 5 years, although some universities may structure programs differently. A typical 5-year program includes general education, basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, stomatology courses, laboratory training, and clinical internships. For example, Sun Yat-sen University’s stomatology program describes years 1 through 4 as general education, basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, and stomatology courses, with the fifth year devoted to clinical internships. Wenzhou Medical University’s BDS curriculum also lists public basic courses, professional basic courses, specialized dentistry courses, and internships in areas such as oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics.
The academic calendar, assessment format, language requirements, and clinical placement rules vary by university. Students normally need to complete all required courses, clinical training, and university examinations before receiving the degree. International students should also confirm whether Chinese language study, HSK requirements, or Medical Chinese courses are required for graduation or clinical practice.
Step 4. Pass the Nationwide Licensure Exam to Practice Dentistry
After completing the degree and required clinical training, graduates who want to practice dentistry in China must follow the physician licensing process. China’s National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) is administered by the National Medical Examination Center. The examination is divided into a Clinical Skill test and a General Written test, and only candidates who pass the Clinical Skill test can apply for the General Written test.
For dentistry, applicants should confirm the current stomatology practitioner requirements with the National Medical Examination Center, the local health authority, and their university or employer. Passing the licensing examination is only one part of the process; graduates must also meet registration and practice requirements before legally practicing as dentists in China.
Step 5. Complete Post-Graduate Medical Training
After passing the licensing process, dentists may still need to complete standardized residency training or other post-graduate clinical training, depending on their route, employer, and specialty. China has been building a standardized residency training system for medical professionals, and stomatology hospitals such as the Hospital of Stomatology at Sun Yat-sen University operate national standardized resident training bases. In some undergraduate stomatology pathways, graduates are specifically told that they must participate in standardized residency training before practice.
From this point, dentists can pursue further clinical training, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, or specialty training in areas such as orthodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontology, endodontics, preventive dentistry, and other fields. Because licensing and residency rules can change, students should verify the current requirements with official Chinese health authorities and the university or hospital where they plan to train or work.
We hope that this article on Steps to Become a Dentist in China was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
