Dentistry is one of the oldest medical specialties, dating back thousands of years. Physicians and healers used primitive tools to extract teeth and treat dental problems and oral infections by extracting anesthetic and analgesic substances from plants and flowers, combining them with other compounds, and using them during root treatments or molar extractions.
Dentistry is a medical specialty that is increasingly important daily, whether in terms of therapeutic or cosmetic dental care. People visit dentists for various reasons, including treating toothaches and gum inflammation, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and oral surgery. Dentistry also specializes in treating tooth fractures resulting from accidents or sports injuries.
Importance of studying dentistry in Turkey
European universities, especially those in Turkey, take great interest in medical specialties and are keen on adopting modern teaching methods that combine theoretical curricula and practical applications. Most Turkish universities have dental training units equipped with all the necessary tools and sterilization devices to assist students in practical training under the supervision of doctors and department heads. Turkish universities usually also provide opportunities for practical training outside the university campus in hospitals and outpatient clinics affiliated with the university or through contracts or by helping students obtain these opportunities through job fairs.
Departments of the Faculty of Dentistry
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
This department covers everything related to tissues, disorders caused by growth, diseases, and various infections. In addition to jaw surgery (bones) in cases of facial asymmetry and orthodontic surgery, dental students can learn different forms of surgical operations through this department.
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Radiographs of the mouth are taken, and then the patient’s oral diagnosis is made. Students in this department study all methods and forms of radiography.
Pediatric Dentistry
This department treats children’s teeth and any oral deformities caused by disorders and hereditary diseases. Students in this department study general anesthesia, the appropriate treatment of decay, and the restoration of primary and permanent teeth.
Endodontics
The Department of Endodontics focuses on teaching students, both theoretically and practically, a deep knowledge of how to remove microorganisms causing infections inside the tooth roots, clean them well, and fill the canal with biocompatible materials.
Orthodontics
This department specializes in correcting skeletal deformities by fitting specific braces for the teeth, and in some cases, surgery may be required to align the jawbones properly.
Periodontology
Students learn to diagnose and treat teeth and surrounding tissues, diseases affecting them, and conduct studies in this field. In addition to preventing gum inflammation and treating it early before the patient’s condition worsens, this is done through teeth and roots scaling and debridement.
Prosthodontics
This department focuses on restoring the shape and function of teeth and rehabilitation for mouth deficiencies through the full replication of teeth and gingiva using complete dentures.
Restorative Dentistry
Students in this department learn how to restore tooth fractures resulting from accidents, decay, or part erosion. Thus, it also focuses on the shape and function of the teeth, complementing prosthodontics.
Curriculum of Dentistry Programs at Turkish Universities
The duration of study at Turkish universities is five years for the bachelor’s degree, and the curriculum at most Turkish universities includes a variety of academic programs. However, it may differ from one university to another. Students should verify the course description on the university’s website before registering.
First Academic Year
- Introduction to Medical Sciences
- Histology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- The Cell Structure
- Biological Regulation
- From Cell to Human
- Musculoskeletal System
Second Academic Year
- Introduction to Dentistry, Histology, and Diseases
- Preventive Dentistry and Heart Diseases
- Dental Histology
- Musculoskeletal System
- Nervous System
- cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
- Introduction to Fixed Dental Prosthodontics (two parts)
- Introduction to Endodontics and Radiobiology
- Metabolism and Nutrition
- Endocrine and Urogenital Systems
Third Academic Year
- Patient Evaluation and Treatment Planning
- Partial Dentures
- Advanced Endodontic Treatments
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Minor Oral Surgeries and Anesthesia
- Maxillofacial Surgeries
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Advanced Periodontal and Prosthodontic Treatments
Fourth Academic Year
- Maxillofacial Surgeries
- Major Oral Surgeries and Regenerative Gum Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Oral Health and Geriatric Dentistry
- Facial and Dental Accidents
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
- Practice of Diagnosing Oral Diseases and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Practice of Periodontal Treatment
- Practice of Endodontic Treatments
- Practice of Dentistry
- Practice of Diagnosing Oral Diseases and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Practice of Prosthodontics
- Practice of Orthodontics
Fifth Academic Year
- Treatment of Facial and Jaw Tumors
- Oral Implantology
- Maxillofacial Disorders and Treatment
- Advanced Prosthodontics Treatments with CAM/CAD Techniques
- Legal Issues that may arise between the doctor and the patient
- Practice of Diagnosing Oral Diseases and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Practice of Periodontal Surgery
- Practice of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Practice of Endodontic Treatments
- Practice of Dentistry
- Practice of Prosthodontics
- Practice of Diagnosing Oral Diseases and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Practice of Orthodontics
Example: Click here to view the courses taught in the academic program for dentistry at Medipol University
Job opportunities for graduates of dentistry
- Dentists in private clinics
- Working in outpatient clinics of hospitals and health insurance
- Specialists in cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening in beauty centers
- Assistants to heads of departments of cosmetic dentistry in major clinics and hospitals
