Dentistry, Staatsexamen

 

The goal of the dentistry program is to train future dentists by offering both academic and hands-on training. The program prepares students to work as dentists in application-oriented fields, in teaching and in research.

The goals of the program are:

• To teach information which is directly relevant for healthy people and to teach about the most important health disorders, especially those in the teeth, mouth and jaw, the causes and types of sicknesses and preventative medicine.
• To teach core knowledge, abilities and skills and the willingness in one’s area of expertise to assume tasks with regard to prophylaxis and prevention, diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation.
• To teach an understanding for the research into sicknesses and preventative / treatment measures and the ability to evaluate scientific information communicated and to put this into practice.

In order to be competent both from scientific and practical standpoints, it is important to acquire relevant basic knowledge in the natural sciences in addition to having dental expertise and knowledge of human medicine.

Unique Characteristics of the Dentistry Program in Aachen
Within the Faculty of Medicine at RWTH Aachen the dentistry program has a special structure in the first four semesters which distinguishes it from how dentistry studies are organized at other universities. Here, experiences from the human medicine model course of study, which dropped the traditional subject-by-subject approach in favor of a more innovative, interdisciplinary and organ-centered one, are evident in the dentistry program.

 

Degree Content

The dentistry program can be divided into two parts.

• Basic Course of Studies (Preclinical Section)
  The first five semesters of the dentistry program in Aachen are one organizational and contextual unit. In the first two semesters, dentistry students have to learn natural science principles (physics, chemistry and biology) and medical terminology in lectures and internships. After the second semester, students sit a qualifying exam in the natural sciences. Beginning in the first semester and for the next five semesters, they also receive an introduction into the structure and function of the healthy human body and into basic dental prosthetics. Generally, students take the Preliminary Dentistry Examination after the fifth semester which admits them to the more clinical part of the program referred to as the main course of study.
• Main Course of Study (Clinical Section)
  The clinical part of the program usually takes five semesters. During this time, students treat patients under the supervision of experienced dentists, and in courses and internships they deal in depth with the following subjects:  orthodontics, dental, oral and maxillofacial diseases; dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery; prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, pathology, pharmacology, hygiene and healthcare, microbiology, radiology, ear, nose and throat medicine;  internal medicine, dermatology and surgery. These subjects are part of the Dentistry Examination.

The standard period of study is 11 semesters; the average length of time needed to complete the program is 12.3 semesters. After the Dentistry Examination the candidate can apply for licensing as a dentist at the state authority where the applicant passed the Dentistry Examination.

Study Abroad Programs:
ERASMUS: This is a European exchange program that gives students the option of taking medical classes for at the most one semester at the universities of Madrid (E) and Prague (CZ).

The dentistry exchange program (Zahnmedizinische Austauschdienst) offers training options in Europe and outside of Europe. Although it is not mandatory for dentistry students, this program offers the possibility to gather initial professional experience.

Material Costs during the Program:

• Material costs in the basic course of study: roughly 1100 Euros
• Material costs in the main course of study: roughly 1500 Euros

Materials used per semester: (drills, dental milling machines, prosthetic teeth and so on.) roughly 150 Euros
Good deals are available on the "Zahnimarktplatz" in the Dentistry Student Representative Council.

 

Decision Aids

Dentistry is very specific and has to be regarded independently of other departments. There are close links to human medicine, but dentistry deals specifically with the teeth, mouth and jaw. This point should be considered in the decision-making process.

If you enroll in dentistry with the intention of transferring to medical school, please note that commencing studies in dentistry does not mean you can forgo submitting an application for medicine school. You can only transfer if you have been admitted to medical school. According to enrollment regulations, it is not possible to study both subjects at the same time.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites
A good background in biology, chemistry and physics will make for an easier start to medical school. You can refresh your knowledge in advance and as you study: Bridge Courses

Formal Prerequisites:
The prerequisite for admission to the first semester is being granted a study place by the Foundation for University Admission (Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung). More details are available at www.hochschulstart.de.

 

Career Prospects

Dentists work in hospitals, in (their own) private practice, research, teaching, health insurance companies, or in the pharmaceutical industry or they can work on assignments in public health care.

 

Examination Regulations

Course of study regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures at RWTH.

 

Faculty

The course of study in Dentistry is offered by the Faculty of Medicine.