After each academic year, students have to prove a minimum number of ECTS points in order to progress in their studies. At the end of their studies, students must have accumulated at least 300 ECTS points in order to be admitted to the Czech state examination, the Státní rigorózní zkouška. Apart from the fact that the international students in the English-language course also receive lessons in Czech in the first semesters, the curriculum is identical to the Czech-language dentistry course.
As in Germany, the study of dentistry in the Czech Republic is divided into a theoretical pre-clinical and a practical clinical part. However, the boundaries between theory and practice are more fluid and the students get a feel for practice already in the pre-clinical stage. For example, they practice tooth filling techniques and root canal treatments in phantom treatment rooms on so-called head dummies before they work with real patients in the clinic.
From the beginning, the focus has been on dentistry. In the first two years, dental students also learn general medicine theory, such as biology, biochemistry, anatomy, biophysics and the like, but the focus is always on the dental and oral areas. For this reason, in contrast to what is often the case in Germany, dentistry students are mostly taught separately in the Czech Republic. From the second year of study, subjects such as preventive dentistry, cariology and prosthetic technology are on the curriculum. In addition to the medical content, there are often courses in the areas of management and law and ethics related to dentistry are common practice.
From the third year of study, intensive special tuition usually begins in the subjects of dentistry such as tooth preservation, dental radiology, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery and periodontal and preservation treatment. From the fourth year of study onwards, students spend several weeks in general dentistry practices or in the stomatology department of the affiliated university clinic.
The theoretical and practical skills of dentistry students in the Czech Republic are continuously tested during their studies. The exams are discipline-based and are given by the various departments. In addition to oral and written exams, there are practical exams in the clinical section that involve a patient case. At the end of the course, there are state final exams in various areas of dentistry. Those who successfully complete this receive the academic title MDDr. (Medicinae Dentium Doctor), who is also fully recognized in Germany and with which you can easily apply for a license to practice medicine.
Studying dentistry in the Czech Republic: costs and financing
Unfortunately, the costs of studying dentistry in the Czech Republic are very high, because international students have to pay tuition fees for the English-language course. As in all other countries, dentistry is one of the most expensive courses in the Czech Republic due to the high material costs. If you want to study dentistry in the Czech Republic, you currently pay between EUR 11,000 and EUR 12,600 per year, depending on the university. In return, the students also benefit from excellent equipment, such as special simulation clinics with dummies and huge libraries with specialist literature as well as very personal and close-knit support.
The good news: Those who are entitled to BAföG in Germany will also receive BAföG abroad for studying dentistry in the Czech Republic. After all, there is a subsidy for the tuition fees of up to EUR 4,600 for the first year of study. The cost of living in the Czech Republic is also lower than in Germany, so that at least part of the fees can be offset here. In addition to the BAföG abroad, there is also the option of financing your studies abroad with a scholarship or with a low-interest student loan.
Recognition of the Czech MDDr. degree in Germany
According to microedu, Czech Republic is a country located in eastern Europe. Anyone who has studied dentistry in the Czech Republic and has the academic title MDDr. does not have to worry about professional recognition in Germany. This is done automatically in accordance with the European Professional Recognition Directive, i.e. without an extensive individual check for equivalence.
After completing the pre-clinical phase in the Czech Republic, many students try to switch to a German university in order to continue their dental studies there. This is called “lateral entry”. However, this is not quite as easy as many hope, because lateral entry is not an insider tip. Frequently, there is also a large number of applicants for the clinical section and a very small number of free study places.
Another obstacle with regard to a seamless lateral entry: Although the English-language courses in dentistry in the Czech Republic fully comply with EU standards, the course plans differ considerably in some cases. Even if you get a place at a university in Germany, you may have to catch up on courses. Delaying studies by a full year is therefore not uncommon.
If you still want to try and apply for lateral entry at German universities, you first need a recognition notification from the responsible state examination office. The federal state in which you are registered with your first place of residence in Germany is responsible for studying dentistry. Anyone who has their main residence in the Czech Republic applies for recognition at the State Examination Office of Thuringia.
