Medical Faculty Heidelberg Dentistry
Dentistry is concerned with disorders of the teeth, jaw and mouth, and their treatment.
The course of studies in dentistry at Heidelberg University has declared the following subject areas its special fields: Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the dental, oral, and maxillofacial region.
We want to prepare our students in the best possible manner to meet the challenges of dentistry practice and to teach them the skills required in a constantly changing and increasingly digitalised healthcare industry.
Course of studies in dentistry
Studying dentistry at Heidelberg University offers a practical and research-oriented education. Students are taught the basics of natural sciences and medicine from the very beginning.
Early introduction to the various specialist disciplines of dentistry (restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, orthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery) also commences in the first academic semester.
In addition, training in dentistry in Heidelberg places great emphasis on teaching techniques for dentistry.
Graduates will receive their licence to practise as dentists after successfully completing the state examination in dentistry, which is broken down into 3 sections (Z1, Z2, and Z3).
Following a 2-year preparation period with a dentist in private practice or at a University Dental Hospital, nothing will stand in the way of their working in their own practices or as employees. However, opportunities for clinical research and teaching activities in a university environment, in industry, or in training institutes are open to them as well.
Special features and characteristics of the dentistry degree programme in heidelberg
The focus of the dentistry degree programme at Heidelberg University is on intensive practical training, which is supervised by experienced course assistants and senior physicians. A modern teaching environment equipped with up-to-date and modern technologies provides students with a practice-focused and future-oriented education.
The HeiCuDent curriculum is currently undergoing further development in order to comply with the requirements of the new licensing regulations for dentists (Approbationsordnung für Zahnärztinnen und Zahnärzte; ZApprO). This transition phase offers a special opportunity to adapt the curriculum to changing conditions in the dentistry profession and to prepare students for the future of dentistry in a targeted manner.
Central further development areas include:
Interdisciplinary skills, digitalisation, practice-oriented learning, and free practice
Our clinical treatment rooms are at the state of the art and are also equipped with surgical microscopes as a standard.
We introduce students to the different specialist disciplines early on in order to provide them with a good foundation for the varied work of a dentist. Teaching and examination formats such as problem-based learning, feedback seminars, and standardised practical examinations ensure that the requirements to dentists are addressed in a practical manner. Intensive training in communication in dentistry is also provided before their first patient contact and while administering treatment (ZahnMediKIT, Heidelberg communication module HeiKomM-Z).
The instruments required will be provided in order to minimise the financial strain on students during the clinical phase. However, the students will have to purchase some of their own instruments in the pre-clinical phase. The “case exchange” organised by students offers an inexpensive opportunity to acquire used instruments here.
Research
Heidelberg is characterised as an innovative centre of research by its good infrastructure and networking of many research areas. High-ranking research is conducted in all sub-disciplines, in several cases in projects funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft; DFG). Findings from clinical research are directly integrated into teaching.
The research focuses are listed in detail on the respective pages of the MZK polyclinics under “Research”.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Dentists will primarily work in dentists’ practices and dental clinics.
However, dentistry also offers a wide range of career opportunities in medical research, teaching, industry, public health offices, and health insurance companies.
Please consider that only a comparatively small number of positions in dentistry is available in other fields of employment in addition to working in private practice.
Degree variants
State Examination
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Insights
The combination of practical, medical, social and technical areas in dentistry is basically unique. The interdisciplinary aspects and the beautiful town make Heidelberg the perfect place to go to university.
Benjamin Kux, 25, Dentistry, 11th semester State Examination
Preparatory Course
Newly admitted Heidelberg University students with foreign school-leaving certificates and admission have the opportunity to attend a four-week preparatory course in September to prepare for their studies.
