Dentistry in Turkey is one of the most popular fields that international students flock to study in Turkish universities every year, especially after the growing interest in all aspects of dental treatment and cosmetic dentistry, and the increasing demand for dental clinic visits. In this article, we provide you with valuable information about studying this field at both public and private Turkish universities, including an overview of the specialization, its departments, the language of instruction and its duration, as well as the requirements, advantages, the top universities offering this program, and its associated costs.
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An Overview of the Dentistry Specialization in Turkey
The first faculties of dentistry in Turkey were established by the Minister of Education, Emir Allah Efendi, in 1908. By 2002, the number of dentistry faculties had reached 18 across the country, but this number has doubled in the last 15 years to reach 84 faculties in Turkey.
Moreover, the dentistry specialization in Turkish universities, whether public or private, is among the most attractive medical fields for both Turkish and international students, owing to the significant development and qualitative transformation this field has experienced in recent years.
Turkey has also placed great emphasis and special care on the study of dentistry by increasing the number of universities that offer this field and expanding the number of laboratories within dentistry faculties, continuously developing them to keep pace with global advancements and scientific research. As a result, Turkish universities provide various services to support their students throughout their academic journey.
Departments in the Dentistry Specialization
The dentistry faculties in Turkey offer a range of medical specialties, from which students select one as their area of focus. Here is a list of the most important departments included in this specialization:
- Fixed bridges and implants
- Dental prosthetics
- Fixed and removable prosthetics
- Preventive dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Restorative dentistry
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Periodontology
- Pediatric dentistry
Duration and Language of Study
The dentistry program at Turkish universities lasts 5 years if the student is proficient in the language of instruction. However, if the student is not proficient, they must undergo a preparatory year to study the language, which extends the total duration of study to 6 years.
As for the language of instruction, students in Turkish universities can choose between Turkish and English. For more information, you can contact Skyline Educational to find out the language of instruction at the university you have selected.
What are the Most Important Dentistry Courses?
When discussing the key courses in dentistry or the most important academic subjects, it is important to note that during the first and second years, students study basic science subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, as well as fundamental medical science subjects like anatomy, histology, physiology, and pharmacology. Following these, dentistry-specific courses are introduced, which are largely based on these foundational sciences, including:
- Restorative dental treatment
- Prosthetic dentistry
- Health sciences
- Computer applications
- Oral and dental radiology
In the final three years, most of these courses are practical, conducted through work in clinics and laboratories provided by the university. This hands-on approach prepares students to immediately enter the workforce, whether in dental clinics, by placing bridges, repairing broken teeth, performing fillings, or utilizing various other therapeutic and cosmetic dental procedures.
Available Job Opportunities
Graduates of the dentistry specialization in Turkey can practice their profession and enter the workforce in various ways, such as:
- Working in hospitals
- Working in private dental centers
- Assisting department heads in large hospitals and specialized private centers in this field
- Working as an academic professor in some private universities in Turkey specializing in dentistry
- Opening a private clinic or center dedicated to dental treatment and cosmetic dentistry
Admission Requirements for the Dentistry Specialization in Turkey
The admission requirements for studying dentistry in Turkey vary from one university to another, depending on whether the institution is public or private. Here are the main requirements for studying this specialization in Turkish public universities:
Passing the Turkish aptitude test (YÖS) or the American SAT.
Achieving a minimum high school GPA of 90%.
Possessing a language proficiency certificate for the language of instruction. If the student wishes to study in Turkish, they must present a TÖMER certificate; for English, a TOEFL certificate is required.
Admission Requirements for Dentistry in Turkish Private Universities
These requirements are considered less stringent compared to public universities, as they only require:
- A high school certificate with a minimum GPA of 70%.
- A language proficiency certificate as mentioned above. If the student does not have proof of language proficiency, they can enroll in a preparatory year to study the language.
Also read: Studying Dentistry in Turkey
Advantages of Studying Dentistry in Turkish Universities
Turkish universities, whether public or private, distinguish themselves from other institutions with several advantages, the most important of which are:
- The tuition fees are relatively low compared to those of universities around the world.
- They allow students to choose the language of instruction, attracting many international students, especially since proficiency in Turkish is not mandatory.
- They boast excellent faculty composed of specialized professors in dentistry.
- They offer advanced curricula that keep pace with the latest global scientific research in this field.
- They provide laboratories for practical training that prepare students to work in this field immediately upon graduation.
- They include both theoretical and practical courses developed by specialized and professional doctors and experts from both within and outside Turkey.
Most Prominent Turkish Universities for Studying Dentistry
Here is a list of the most important Turkish universities that offer their students the opportunity to study dentistry:
- Yeditepe University
- Istanbul Medipol University (Medipol University)
- Altınbaş University (Altınbaş)
- Bahçeşehir University
- Istanbul Okan University
- Istinye University
Costs of Studying Dentistry in Turkish Universities
Tuition fees for the dentistry specialization in Turkey may vary according to several factors, the most important of which are the type and prestige of the university, its location, and the language of instruction. However, it is worth noting that the costs of studying at Turkish universities are considered low compared to European and American institutions, despite the strength of their curricula, the advancement of their faculty, and their state-of-the-art equipment.
The tuition fees range between 12,000 and 20,000 US dollars per year, and for precise details regarding costs at each university, you can contact Skyline Educational.
With this, we have reached the end of our article on the dentistry specialization in Turkey. We hope that we have provided you with the most important information and details required. Additionally, you can contact us at Skyline Educational for further information.