Whether you later work as a dentist or in another dentistry-related field, an interest in people and their well-being as well as compassion, creativity, and curiosity are essential requirements for this degree course and the profession.

As you will learn to make implants and prosthetics, you should also have good haptic skills and enjoy work that requires precise motor skills.

A strong interest in dentistry as well as a curiosity about the natural sciences and their application are a good foundation for the scientific part of the studies. A love of learning and a strong work ethic, along with a certain amount of discipline, will facilitate your studies. A good command of English (the international academic and scientific language) as well as knowledge of Latin (specialist terminology) are advantageous but not a requirement for this degree course. During your studies, you will take courses on specialist terminology to acquire the necessary knowledge.

Dental training will provide you with all the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to provide dental care to patients. In addition to basic theoretical scientific knowledge, the training also covers medical assessments of patients and diseases as well as the dental procedures to cure them. In addition, you will learn how to carry out patient consultations, how to continue your professional development, and how to collaborate with other physicians and healthcare professionals.

In order to cover all these aspects, the degree course consists of three larger phases with the following thematic content:

First phase of study (1st-4th semester), ends with the first intermediate dentistry examination Z1.

• Medical terminology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Microscopic and macroscopic anatomy
• Physiology
• Dental propaedeutics (dental technology and preventive dentistry)
• Practical impressions of the profession

Second phase of study (5th-6th semester), ends with the second intermediate dentistry examination Z2

• Prosthodontics
• Orthodontics
• Dental surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Restorative dentistry

Third phase of study (7th-10th semester), ends with the third intermediate dentistry examination Z3.

• Prosthodontics
• Orthodontics
• Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases
• Dental surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Dental radiology
• Restorative dentistry (endodontics, pediatric odontology, periodontology, the study of tooth hard structure, prevention, restoration)

While the German Licensing Regulations for Dentists largely determine the content and order of dentistry courses, you will have the freedom to choose elective courses and also where to complete your clinical rotations (internships), giving you the opportunity to focus on your own areas of interest.

In addition, by the end of your studies, you must also be able to prove that you have acquired the following practical knowledge:

• First-aid training
• One month of nursing service
• A four-week clinical rotation (internship)

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

As a rule, the clinical phase semesters are a good time for a study period abroad.

Internships

The degree course in Dentistry incorporates several practical elements in the medical and dental fields. In addition to the practical content of the course, you will also complete the following internships:

• Nursing service/nursing internship of one month
  (proof of completion must be submitted by the time you register for the first intermediate dentistry examination, either before you start your studies or during the lecture-free period in the initial non-clinical phase)
• Four-week clinical rotation
  (internship in a dental practice or clinic – proof of completion must be submitted by the time you register for the third intermediate dentistry examination)

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Dentists are the first port of call for any dental problems. They care for patients and maintain or improve their dental health. They check the oral cavity and teeth for diseases and can clean and repair them (fillings) or make dentures (prosthodontics).

Dentistry graduates usually work as salaried dentists in a practice or dental clinic or as dentists in private practice (freelance).

In addition, they can also be employed in the public health service or in the expert opinion system (e.g., for insurance companies), work in medical/scientific journalism, or in scientific research at universities or companies (e.g., pharmaceutical industry).

They also have the opportunity to gain further qualifications after graduation and pursue one of the following specializations:

• Orthodontist
  Specializes in the prevention and treatment of formational and functional disorders of the teeth and jaw. For example, malocclusions of the teeth are diagnosed and treated with orthodontic appliances (such as splints or braces).

• Oral surgeon
  Dentists with additional training in surgery.

• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
  They perform operations on the mouth, teeth, and jaw. For example, wisdom tooth removal, jaw surgery, and tumor and cyst removal. They also perform plastic surgery in the oral and maxillofacial area and treat jaw fractures.
  Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must have completed degrees in both dentistry and human medicine.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.