Inside the program
Compare the scientific foundations with preclinical practical work and supervised patient care. Check how clinical competencies are assessed and verify the registration requirements for the country where you intend to practise.
Use the curriculum and university options below to build a shortlist. Confirm the exact degree level, teaching language, course sequence and practical requirements with each university; similar programme names do not make the courses interchangeable.
Wondering which discount applies to you?
A personal strategy, requirement checks, selection of agreed options, document preparation, applications, and support are provided under an agreement with StudyU.
Study to Become a Dentist in Turkey
Turkish universities admit international students to dentistry taught in English or Turkish. Check diploma recognition and licensing in the country where you plan to practise. For an initial assessment, prepare your passport, high-school diploma and transcript. Each university sets its exam and language rules; an accepted certificate, its own proficiency test or a preparatory programme may be the route. School-document denklik, originals and translations are handled under the university’s registration requirements. Dentistry usually takes 5 years. Under an agreement with StudyU, a consultant can compare programmes, check requirements and prepare applications. Each university decides admission, and each funding body decides scholarship awards.
Program structure
The degree takes five years. The list below shows a typical sequence from foundation courses to electives and a graduation project; course titles, order and credits differ by university, so compare it with the published curriculum of each programme you shortlist.
- Anatomy: Detailed study of the human body's structure, with a focus on the head and neck.
- Physiology: Understanding the functions of different body systems.
- Biochemistry: Exploration of chemical processes within the human body.
- Histology and Cell Biology: Examination of cells and tissues.
- Oral Pathology: Study of diseases affecting the oral cavity.
- Pharmacology: Principles of drug action and therapeutics.
- Microbiology and Immunology: Study of microorganisms and the immune system, with a focus on oral health.
- Dental Materials: Exploration of materials used in dental treatments.
- Prosthodontics: Design and fitting of dental prostheses.
- Endodontics: Diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp diseases.
- Periodontics: Treatment of gum diseases and supporting structures of the teeth.
- Orthodontics: Correction of teeth and jaw alignment.
- Oral Surgery: Surgical treatment of dental and oral conditions.
- Pediatric Dentistry: Dental care for children.
- Electives and Residency Preparation: Opportunities for specialization and advanced training in selected dental fields.
Careers after Dentistry
Practising as a dentist requires professional authorisation in the country where you work. Under the general rule in Turkey, the Ministry of Labour lists dentistry among professions reserved for Turkish citizens; officially recognised special statuses, including Turkish-origin foreigners under Law 2527, require separate authority assessment. Before choosing a programme, a foreign applicant should establish whether their citizenship and legal status allow dental practice; university admission, a degree and a student residence permit do not establish that right. Specialist roles such as orthodontist or oral surgeon also need postgraduate specialty training; in Turkey, places are allocated through the ÖSYM DUS exam.
General Dentist: Provide comprehensive dental care and diagnose various oral conditions.
Orthodontist: Specialize in correcting teeth and jaw alignment.
Oral Surgeon: Perform surgical procedures to treat dental and oral conditions.
Periodontist: Treat gum diseases and other conditions affecting the supporting structures of the teeth.
Endodontist: Specialize in treating diseases of the dental pulp and perform root canal treatments.
Pediatric Dentist: Provide dental care for children, ensuring their oral health from infancy through adolescence.
Should you choose Dentistry?
It clicks if you…
- Passionate About Oral Health: Have a strong desire to improve people's oral health and well-being.
- Strong in Science: Excel in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Detail-Oriented: Pay close attention to details, which is crucial for diagnosing and treating dental conditions.
- Resilient and Compassionate: Able to handle the physical and emotional demands of dental practice.
Take a moment if you…
- Dislike Long Study Hours: Prefer shorter academic programs or less rigorous study schedules.
- Uncomfortable with Blood and Surgery: Find it challenging to deal with dental procedures and patient care.
- Avoids High-Pressure Situations: Prefer a work environment with less stress and urgency.
Life beyond classes
What happens outside lectures depends on the university, so ask the department what it actually runs: student research projects, congresses for dental students and dental students' associations.
Ask where clinical training takes place: in the faculty’s own dental clinics or at partner facilities. Confirm how students work with patients under supervision and which language is required. For a semester abroad, ask which Erasmus+ partner universities the department has and whether international degree students can apply; a visa for the host country is a separate step.
Additional guide to programme language
As an addition to StudyU's table, Bahcesehir lists Dentistry as an English-taught five-year professional programme. This helps students decide early whether to target an English track or compare language alternatives.
Examples to check with StudyU: Bahcesehir University: Dentistry (five-year professional programme, English).
Universities offering Dentistry
Compare listed universities by degree, teaching language and published tuition shown below.
The five-year dentistry route admits school leavers. The exact award name depends on the university: BAU, for example, describes a dentistry master’s diploma after its five-year programme. In the table, annual billing is stated only where verified; historical tariffs describe the earlier intake and require a current written quote.
| University | Programme | Language | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya Bilim University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $14 000 (2026 fee list; confirm billing period) |
| Nisantasi University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | Confirm the programme’s current published fee before paying |
| Okan University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $15 000/yr (2026–27) |
| Uskudar University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $16 000/yr (2026–27) |
| Yeni Yuzyil University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $17 000 (published 2026–27 fee; confirm billing period) |
| Gelisim University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $13 000 (2025–26 fee list); obtain a current quote |
| Nisantasi University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | Confirm the programme’s current published fee before paying |
| Okan University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $18 000/yr (2026–27) |
| Ankara Medipol University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $18 500 (2025–26 fee list); obtain a current quote |
| Atlas University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $18 530/yr (2026–27) |
| Biruni University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $19 000 (published 2026–27 fee; confirm billing period) |
| Gelisim University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $17 250 (2025–26 fee list); obtain a current quote |
| Istinye University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $20 000/yr (2026–27) |
| Ankara Medipol University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $20 000 (2025–26 fee list); obtain a current quote |
| Biruni University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $21 000 (published 2026–27 fee; confirm billing period) |
| Altinbas University | Dentistry · 5 years | 30% English / 70% Turkish | $22 000 (2025–26 fee list); obtain a current quote |
| Uskudar University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $22 000/yr (2026–27) |
| Atlas University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $23 560/yr (2026–27) |
| Bahcesehir University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $24 000/yr (2026–27); obtain a current written quote |
| Istinye University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $24 500/yr (2026–27) |
| Istanbul Galata University | Dentistry · 5 years | Turkish | $12 500 (2024–25 fee list, VAT included); obtain a current quote |
| Istanbul Galata University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $12 500 (2024–25 fee list, VAT included); obtain a current quote |
| Medipol University | Dentistry · 5 years | 30% English / 70% Turkish | $33 000 (published 2026–27 fee; confirm billing period) |
| Medipol University | Dentistry · 5 years | English | $36 000 (published 2026–27 fee; confirm billing period) |
Ready to study dentistry in Turkey?
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Get a consultationFAQ about the program
For an initial assessment, prepare your passport, high-school diploma and transcript. The university sets any exam, translation and language requirements. School-document denklik and originals are registration matters under its rules; they do not recognise your future dental qualification. Under an agreement with StudyU, a consultant can compare programmes, check requirements and help prepare applications. Each university decides admission and its scholarship terms.
There are English, Turkish and mixed-language dentistry programmes. Turkish language requirements depend on the university: Okan, for example, accepts an eligible TÖMER result or uses its own proficiency test and preparatory route. Before applying, confirm the teaching-language share and the Turkish level required for patient care.
First establish whether you may practise: dentistry is normally reserved for Turkish citizens. Special statuses, including officially recognised Turkish-origin foreigners under Law 2527, require separate authority assessment. Admission and graduation do not themselves authorise a foreign national to work as a dentist. For a role you are legally eligible to hold, compare current vacancies or published pay scales by seniority and location. A degree alone does not establish a salary or job offer.