How To Become a Dentist in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of the most popular countries for pursuing higher education in medical subjects. It provides advantages such as English-taught programs, a lower cost of living, safety, and the repute of the degree. As a result, many international students choose these prestigious medical universities in the Czech Republic. To become a dentist in the Czech Republic one must have a 5-year MDDr degree. After this, a student must register with Czech Dental Chamber to get a license to practice dentistry. 

Although it sounds easy, it can get confusing for international students who are unfamiliar with navigating the rules and regulations around the profession in a foreign country. Thus, our step-by-step guide is exactly what you need to get the best understanding of how to kickstart your dentistry career.

Overview: How To Become a Dentist in the Czech Republic

Steps to Become a Dentist in the Czech Republic

The title of qualification awarded in the Czech Republic is MDDr. MDDr stands for Medicinae Dentium Doctor (Doctor of Dental Medicine).

MDDr is a graduate-level degree with a direct entry. Graduates will be considered to have completed their master’s with this program. But unlike most master’s programs, MDDr does not require a bachelor’s degree. 

Ranked in the top 2% of universities in the world, prestigious institutes offering the 5-year MDDr program include  

• Charles University – First Faculty of Medicine  
• Charles University – Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králove
• Charles University – Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen
• Masaryk University 
• Palacky University

Step 1: Check eligibility and requirements

The basic eligibility for MDDr is the completion of high school. Students can apply to dentistry programs in the Czech Republic once they finish their high school education. 

Most top universities in the Czech Republic need students to take an entrance exam.

Details for applying for dentistry programs in the Czech Republic are discussed below. Eligibility criteria include 

• High grades in high school, especially in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (minimum 50% marks are mandatory)
• English proficiency test
• Passing marks in the university’s own entrance examinations
• Respective national level test score of the native country of the applicant

The entrance exam forms only one part of the admission test. Students also need to participate in interviews. These interviews may be styled as ‘Multiple Mini Interviews’ and assess the candidates’ knowledge and motivation to study.

Acceptance into the top Czech medical universities is highly competitive. For this reason, universities provide foundation courses to aspiring students to prepare them for entrance exams.

These are termed premedical courses in the Czech Republic and generally span a duration anywhere between 5 to 38 weeks. Students train in specialized subjects, alongside the Czech language, to attain basic-level fluency. This directly increases the rate of acceptance into medical universities.

Step 2: Enroll in a program to earn a dental degree

MDDr is a five-year program focusing on theoretical and clinical aspects of dentistry. Education in dentistry prepares students for independent practice. Dentistry programs are rigorous. Most universities start practical training in the fourth semester. After the 6th and 8th semesters, students undergo a few weeks of professional practice. Please note that some universities may have a different curriculum format.

The dentistry studies are completed with a State examination. The exam includes practice and theory. Students are tested in the following disciplines:

•  Conservative Dentistry 
•  Pediatric Dentistry 
•  Periodontology 
•  Prosthetic Dentistry and Orthodontics 
•  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 

The average annual cost for studying dentistry ranges between USD 14,000 – 18,500. The cost of living generally depends upon the city and the spending habits of the student. It is estimated to be between USD 4,200-9,000 per year. 

Step 3: Register with the Czech Dental Chamber

All dentists in the Czech Republic must register with the Czech Dental Chamber (CSK) and the Ministry of Health. The Czech Dental Chamber was established in 1991. It is a member of the FDI World Dental Federation. The CSK is a self-governing professional body. It lays down the regulations and code of conduct to manage and protect dentists. The chamber records all dentists with their qualifications and professional practice data. 

Step 4: Work as a dentist

Before a dentist is licensed to practice independently, they must undergo vocational training. Vocational training lasts about three years from qualification.

The following are the general criteria for practicing dentistry in the Czech Republic.

• A valid university diploma recognized by the Ministry of Health
• Fluency in the Czech language
• Long-term or permanent residency permit
• Authorization by the Ministry of Health
• Registration with the Czech Dental Chamber

Dentists can set up their private practice or work as salaried employees. As salaried employees, dentists may choose to work in hospitals or universities.

Salaries of dentists in the Czech Republic

The national average salary of dentists is CZK 1,524,482 a year. The salaries for dentists in two of the biggest cities in the Czech Republic are

Step 5: Continue Education

The Czech Dental Chamber asks dentists to keep themselves updated with the latest developments in stomatology. For this purpose, the chamber has introduced certifications of proficiency. Some examples include 

• Dentist Practitioner with a Certificate of Proficiency in Periodontology
• Dentist Practitioner with a Certificate of Proficiency in Oral Surgery
• Dentist Practitioner with a Certificate of Proficiency in Paediatric dentistry
• Dentist holding a Certificate of Proficiency in Orthodontics

These certifications have a validity of three to five years. Dentists can renew them after expiry.

Can Foreign Graduates Work as Dentists in the Czech Republic?

Yes. Dentists who completed their education outside the EU must take the approbation exam if they wish to practice in the Czech Republic.

The approbation exam requires candidates to be fluent in Czech. The process of taking the exam begins with an application to the Ministry of Health. 

Following the application, candidates have to complete these steps.

• Receive written exam invitation
• Take the written examination
• Obtain an internship permit from the Ministry of Health
• Complete the internship (practical part of the exam) in six months
• Send confirmation on the completion of the practical part
• Apply for oral examination
• Receive a certificate of practical part completion from the Ministry of Health
• Receive oral exam invitation
• Take the oral examination
• Await the Ministry of Health’s decision for professional practice

Once the candidates receive clearance from the Ministry of Health, they are free to practice in any EU state.

Conclusion

All English-taught dental programs in the Czech Republic take 5 years to complete. During this time, international students are exposed to adequate theoretical and practical knowledge to help them hone their clinical skills. After the completion of the MDDr degree, students will need to obtain a license to practice dentistry in the Czech Republic. This will be administered by the Czech Dental Chamber. Foreign dentists who completed their education outside the EU can also practice in Czechia after clearing the approbation exam. For more information, contact Gyanberry at Gyanberry.