Studying Dentistry in Turkey as an International Student

Dentistry Curriculum in Turkey: What Students Study

The dentistry program in Turkey is carefully structured to provide both strong academic knowledge and real clinical training. The journey begins with theory-based courses and moves toward hands-on practice in dental hospitals. Below is a detailed overview of what students learn during their six-year dentistry education.

Theoretical Courses (First and Second Year)

First Year of Dentistry: During the first year, students focus on the basic medical sciences that form the foundation of dental studies. Courses include jaw anatomy, medical biology, organic chemistry, behavioral science, anatomy, biostatistics, biophysics, dental history, medical genetics, and metabolism. This stage helps students understand how the human body and oral systems work before they move into clinical applications.

Second Year of Dentistry: The second year deepens medical and dental understanding with courses such as prosthetic dentistry, orthodontics, stent dentistry, heart and respiratory systems, infectious diseases and immunity, nervous system, research methods, preventive dentistry, and glands and excretory system. By the end of this stage, students gain the theoretical and diagnostic background necessary for clinical training.

Practical and Clinical Training (Years 3–5)

From the third year onward, students begin intensive practical and hospital-based training. The curriculum includes pathology, oral biology, pharmacology, radiology in dentistry, artificial and prosthetic dentistry, oral and dental surgery, and preventive oral medicine for children.

Other essential subjects include orthodontics, periodontal disease, restorative dentistry, oral diseases, forensic medicine, neurology, eye and skin diseases, and psychology. Students also learn first aid in dentistry, oral imaging, and management of dental and health centers preparing them for real clinical scenarios.

By combining theory and hands-on practice, dentistry universities in Turkey train students to become skilled professionals ready to treat patients confidently after graduation. The balance of scientific study and clinical exposure makes Turkish dental programs a strong choice for international students seeking comprehensive dental education.

International students wishing to study dentistry can register in private universities in Turkey without any conditions , as these universities are satisfied with a high school diploma (baccalaureate) to register , so the seats available in this specialty are filled with the beginning of registration .

Advantages of studying dentistry in private universities in Turkey:

1-Dentistry is available in English in private universities.

2- There are no conditions for admission.

3- The presence of private universities in major states gives students the opportunity to make a lot of friendships.

Disadvantages of studying dentistry in Turkey in private universities:

1- The costs of study are high compared to other disciplines .

2- The end of seats in this specialization quickly, especially English language programs.

Studying dentistry in Turkey in English fees at Private universities:

The prices of studying dentistry in private dental universities in Turkey range from 10,000 to 23,000 dollars annually. The university tuition varies according to the university and the language of study. 

Dentistry can be studied in Turkey without the YÖS exam as follows: 

First: Studying dentistry in public universities in Turkey without YOS:

The largest part of universities requires the presence of the result of their own YÖS test to apply for this specialization, and students who have passed the YÖS test for other universities can apply for available seats, despite the great competition to study dentistry in Turkey's public universities, but some students are reluctant to come to Turkey, which causes the presence of some vacancies in which students are accepted without YOS.

Second: Studying dentistry in private universities in Turkey without YOS:

Foreign students wishing to study dentistry in Turkey's private universities can apply under the high school certificate only (baccalaureate).

Students wishing to study dentistry in private universities can obtain discounts and scholarships through Imtiyaz Company for Educational Services.

Foreign students can study dentistry in Turkish public universities by applying to public university placement, which begin in the fifth month and end in the ninth month of each year.

The principle of differentiation depends on choosing the best students applying to study the specialization, and there is a criterion for selecting students, which is the student's rate in the university, and that the rate of dentistry in public universities is 80% for the university, and this is considered a condition for submission and does not mean obtaining admission, as the principle of university differentiation means choosing the student with the highest rate.

Advantages of studying dentistry in public universities:

1-   Low tuition fees compared to private universities.

2- Universities with international recognition.

3- The number of public universities exceeds private universities.

Disadvantages of studying dentistry in public universities:

1- The requirement of the YOS or SAT exam for admission to the specialty of dentistry by Turkey's public universities.

2- Studying in Turkish in the vast majority of universities.

3- Different conditions and dates of application between public universities.

4- Acceptance letters cannot be guaranteed.

Costs of studying dentistry in Turkey public universities::

The prices of studying dentistry in Turkey's public universities range from 2500 to 8000 dollars annually. This installment includes university fees only.

Studying Dentistry in Turkey: Academic Quality and Cost Overview

From an academic perspective, Turkey offers an excellent environment to study dentistry, with strong universities, modern clinics, and well-trained professors. However, when comparing the cost of studying dentistry in Turkey with other majors, there is a noticeable difference dental programs are generally more expensive than non-medical fields.

Another factor is availability. Dentistry is not offered in every Turkish university, and because of its popularity among both local and international students, admission can be competitive. Applicants must meet specific academic and language requirements, making the process more selective.

Main Challenges of Studying Dentistry in Turkey

1. Different admission requirements between universities: Each university sets its own criteria for admission into dentistry, which can vary based on grades, exams, and language of study.

2. High tuition fees: The studying dentistry in Turkey fees are higher compared to non-medical programs like business, engineering, or humanities. This is mainly due to the cost of labs, materials, and clinical training.

3. Strong competition for limited seats: Because dentistry programs are available in fewer universities and attract many applicants, competition is high, and admission often requires strong academic performance.

4. Limited language options: The program is usually available only in Turkish or English, which limits flexibility for students who speak other languages.

Despite these challenges, Turkey remains one of the most popular destinations for international students who wish to study dentistry abroad. The combination of advanced facilities, international accreditation, and high graduate success rates makes Turkish dentistry programs a valuable investment for future professionals.

1- Due to the limited dental seats in Turkish universities, the decision to study must be made early, in the absence of the result of the YÖS exam to register directly on private universities.

2- If you want to study at a public university, it is important to prepare for the YÖS exam and pass it with a score of at least 90%

3- If you do not have a good result in the YOS exam, do not wait for admission to public universities, because the seats of private universities for the specialty of dentistry are very limited.

4 - Dentistry is one of the specialties with a high cost during the study. In addition to the university costs, you will have to buy a lot of study supplies.

Advantages of registering for dental specialization in Turkey with Imtiyaz Company for Educational Services

1- Obtaining university admission to private universities for free.

2- Providing the best discounts and scholarships for private universities.

3- Providing educational consultations for students wishing to register on public universities for dentistry.

4- Receiving the student from the airport.

5- Accompany the student to the university to complete the registration.

6- Translation and notarized of study papers.

7- Preparing the entire student residence file.

8- Helping the student to find the best options for university housing.

1- How long is the dental study in Turkey?

The number of years of dental study in Turkey is 5 years.

2- What are the advantages of studying dentistry in Turkey?

Turkish universities are recognized in Europe and internationally, the costs of studying are acceptable when compared to other study abroad destinations.

3- What are the disadvantages of studying dentistry in Turkey?

The limited seats available to foreigners, in addition to the lack of dental specialization in many Turkish universities, led to a very significant increase in competition for this specialization.

4- Can foreigners work after studying dentistry in Turkey?

Foreigners cannot work in the dental sector, work in this specialty is limited to Turkish citizens only.

5- Can I get admission to study dentistry at a public university in Turkey?

Foreigners can study in public universities in Turkey when they meet the conditions, and public universities require the student to pass their own YÖS test or SAT test.

6- Is obtaining admission to study dentistry in Turkey's private universities difficult ?

 International students can get admission to the specialty of dentistry by us in private universities easily.

7- What is the acceptance rate of dentistry in Turkey 2025?

The acceptance rate is 90% in public universities. Many private universities do not require any admission rate in this major.

8- Is it possible to study dentistry in Turkey for free?

Yes, students can get a fully funded scholarship in dentistry. But the chance of getting the scholarship is very low due to the high number of applicants.

9- What are the costs of studying dentistry in Turkish public universities?

Tuition fees range from 2,500 to 8,000 dollars in public universities and from 10,000 to 23,000 in private universities.

10- Is it possible to study dentistry in English in Turkish dental universities?

Yes, dentistry can be studied in English in private and public universities

11- Is studying dentistry in Turkey difficult?

Yes, dentistry is one of the difficult specialties and is governed by high standards.

12- What is the language of studying dentistry in Turkey?

The study programs are available in both English and Turkish.

Studying dentistry is one of the most desirable specialties in Turkey, and public universities in Turkey require the presence of the result of the YÖS or SAT exam to apply, and it is possible to register in most private universities of Turkey without any conditions or entrance exam, studying dentistry in Turkey fees vary greatly between public and private universities, although the prices of studying dentistry in private universities are lower, but they are lower than those in other Western countries.