Study Dentistry Abroad: 5 Top Reasons
To some students the idea to study dentistry abroad can seem scary. It’s a journey outside your comfort zone. And one far away from most of the friends and family you’ve grown up with.
But there are a bunch of great reasons in favour of doing it. And not just because tuition fees are often cheaper!
In this article we’ll find out why. We’ll cover:
- How studying dentistry abroad can make you unique
- What benefits it brings
- Why it could make you a better professional
Having gone through the process of studying dentistry abroad ourselves, we know just how enriching the experience can be!
Ready to learn more? Let’s go.
Table of Contents
Develop Greater Compassion
Depending on where you study, you’ll probably be dealing with a group of people (or demographic) with a value and a culture different to yours.
The way healthcare works in places outside your home country can be very different. Studying in interesting places can bring a greater diversity of opportunity. Meaning you could be serving the needs of underserved communities and looking after the oral health of the less fortunate.
That can be a real privilege that can help make you a more compassionate dentist.
Further Understanding
With compassion comes understanding. Working with individuals from different cultural backgrounds than your own, calls for more patience on your behalf. Learning how best to communicate with others can really help your patient interactions.
That’s something that can definitely stand out on a dental CV!
Pick Up Unique Skills
Studying dentistry abroad can mean picking up unique opportunities to develop new skills or try things you might not otherwise get the chance to do.
Some places have first access to machines, or interesting trials, that could put you at the forefront of the industry and be the first to touch, try and observe cutting edge technologies or practices.
Make International Friends
One huge benefit of studying outside your home country is the opportunity of getting to know (and making friends with) people from all over the world.
Spending your free time away from your studies, travelling, socializing and learning from others are all good reasons to jump into life abroad.
They’ll also give you some interesting stories to use in interviews and share with future colleagues.
Save Money
What’s the best reason of all to study overseas? The possibility of saving money.
International universities in places like Central and East Europe have some of the cheapest tuition fees of all (with no compromise on education standards). That’s great for individuals who might struggle in their home countries – especially when you factor in the affordable living costs too.
What’s more is that many of these places are more accessible also. Meaning there’s opportunity for you to still become a dentist even if you missed out by a grade or two the first time round.
Related Questions
Which country is the best to study dentistry?
The short answer is whatever country is most suited to you. You can pick up internationally recognized dental qualifications in almost all countries. The “best” comes down to your own unique needs and circumstances.
From a rankings perspective, the UK and the US score high when it comes to the standard of education offered (Source). Ask most dental professionals however and they’ll tell you different answers. Great dentists come from all corners of the world.
In terms of value for money and reputation, Europe’s dental schools are definitely up there. Graduates from schools all over the continent go on to have very successful careers in the UK, the US and beyond.
The best country often comes down to the place you feel most comfortable and are able to work and train to the best of your abilities.
The universities we work with at Medconnect Europe are definitely among them.
Where can I study dentistry abroad in English?
There are several countries where you can study dentistry abroad in English.
In Europe some of the more popular choices include:
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Italy
- Latvia
- Romania
- Spain
Check out the partner universities in Europe that offer dentistry that we work with here.
Further afield, you have options for studying dentistry in English in places like North America, China, other parts of Asia and a few places in South America.
What sets Europe apart is that their schools are a mix of public and private.
They also tend to work out considerably cheaper (both in tuition and living costs) than the more global options.
How long does it take to become a dentist in Europe?
Depending on the program, it can take anything from 4-6 years to become a dentist studying at a European university.
The most common programs (that directly take school leavers) are 6 years in length. While there are a few shorter (4 or 5) year programs in existence too.
In the last few years, “graduate” dentistry courses are becoming more popular. These usually require having previously completed a science-based degree first however.
How do I become a dentist abroad
Becoming a dentist abroad involves first going to dental school and completing an internationally recognized dental degree. From there you’ll need to fit country specific criteria. This may involve registering to acquire a licence or sitting further exams.
If you want to become a dentist in the UK, for example, you’ll need a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BCHd) that’s approved by the General Dental Council (GDC). You’ll also need to complete foundation training.
Most other countries operate similarly.
Summary: 5 Reasons to Study Dentistry Abroad
To wrap things up, there are lots of top reasons to study dentistry abroad.
If you’re adventurous, open-minded and dedicated to pursuing your dream, what’s stopping you?
There are lots of fantastic options to make it happen just waiting to hear from you.
