Studies

Undergraduate education

Licentiate in dentistry

The dental curriculum leads to a Licentiate in Dentistry degree, which is equivalent to a Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) degree and forms the basis for specialist education or scientific (PhD) studies. Today, 50 new students are accepted annually to the 5 year dental programme. Acceptance is based on a national exam, with fluency in the Finnish or Swedish language as a prerequisite.  

The curriculum is divided into preclinical and clinical stages, the preclinical stage comprising two years of basic and biomedical studies integrated with medical students. At the three-year clinical stage, practical training makes up about one-third of the course load. The degree programme comprises 300 ECTS credits which include lectures, seminars, group teaching, self-learning periods and practical training, both at the phantom-head laboratory and in the clinic. Evaluation is mainly by written examination. Each student needs to prepare a thesis , either by participating in a research programme or based on literature review.

To gain an official right to study at the Faculty, please contact the Student Affairs of the Faculty. Please note that only applicants with proficiency in Finnish or Swedish may apply for the degree programme in dentistry (Licentiate in Dentistry).

Exchange studies  

The Institute of Dentistry accepts a fixed number of dental students from universities with which the University of Helsinki has a valid student exchange agreement. Students wishing to study as an exchange student at the Institute of Dentistry should check the exchange agreement with their home university before applying.

More information for exchange students in dentistry

Please read more information on applying to exchange studies from the Faculty of Medicine web pages

Postgraduate education

 
Doctoral studies (PhD)

The Institute of Dentistry conducts active, interdisciplinary research. The research topics range from epidemiological and public health issues to basic, applied and clinical research in oral and dental diseases.

Prospective students interested in research and scientific (PhD) studies may contact the respective research groups at the Institute of Dentistry.

More information about research at the Institute of dentistry
More information about research at the Faculty of Medicine

Specialist training

The Institute of Dentistry also accepts students into the specialist training programme, occurring mainly at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, at the Surgical Hospital of the Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish, is one of the pre-requisites for acceptance into the specialist programme.

More information about specialist training