Faculty Introduction

Education Process in the Faculty of Dentistry

The Faculty of Dentistry is an undergraduate program in the field of health sciences that focuses on maintaining oral and dental health, diagnosing diseases, and providing treatment. It is a clinically oriented program grounded in applied sciences. Students enrolled in this faculty follow an integrated curriculum that combines comprehensive theoretical courses with preclinical and clinical practice and graduate with the title of dentist.

Dental education is structured as a multi-stage learning model: it begins with basic medical sciences, continues with skills developed in the laboratory during the preclinical phase, and is completed with hands-on practice on real patients in the clinical phase. This structure enables students to build and strengthen their professional competencies gradually.

Factors such as increasing aesthetic expectations, the growing need for preventive oral health services, and the expansion of health tourism have made dentistry a profession that remains in demand and maintains its prestige. These developments further highlight the importance of clinical and practical education within the program and contribute to graduates having broad employment opportunities both nationally and internationally.

Dentistry stands out as a strong and long-term professional career path for students, as it directly contributes to human health, is based on a practice-oriented working culture, and offers opportunities for independent practice. These characteristics make the profession an attractive option for candidates who wish to serve the public while also seeking professional autonomy.

Reasons to Choose Lokman Hekim University: Academic and Clinical Advantages of the Faculty of Dentistry

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry aims to educate dentists who are scientifically minded, innovative, research-oriented, and committed to serving society. The faculty offers a strong education that combines theoretical foundations with extensive clinical training. Throughout their education, students are equipped not only with knowledge but also with professional competencies supported by ethical principles, clinical experience, and contemporary practices.

The curriculum is structured in accordance with the international competencies defined by the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). Students progress through a comprehensive program that begins with basic medical sciences, continues with preclinical laboratory work, and advances to clinical practice carried out at Lokman Hekim Dental Hospital. This integrated structure ensures that, upon graduation, students are prepared to work in public hospitals, private clinics, or their own practices.

The faculty’s simulation laboratories are equipped with up-to-date health technologies, allowing students to safely develop fundamental clinical skills using manikins and simulated patients. Live demonstrations performed by academic staff can be followed simultaneously on screens, which supports one-to-one learning and enhances the quality of practical training.

The university also has fully equipped dental prosthetics laboratories. In these laboratories, students learn prosthetic procedures in detail during the preclinical period, such as model preparation, casting, pressing, and other laboratory stages. Lokman Hekim University provides the necessary consumables free of charge in order to ensure that the practical training process continues without interruption and that students can focus on developing their clinical skills.

Located in Ankara, Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry stands out as an ideal choice for students who wish to receive dental education supported by a strong academic staff, modern technological infrastructure, and extensive clinical training opportunities.

Career and Employment Prospects: Professional Pathways for Dentistry Graduates

Graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry receive the professional title of “dentist” and begin their careers in this capacity. Dentists are responsible for maintaining the health of the oral, dental, and maxillofacial structures, diagnosing diseases, and managing treatment processes. They can provide services in many areas such as root canal treatment, restorative procedures (fillings), prosthetic applications, implant surgery, orthodontic treatments, and aesthetic dentistry. In addition, maxillofacial surgery, diagnostic imaging, and preventive oral health practices also fall within their scope of practice.

Employment opportunities in dentistry span a wide range of positions in both the public and private sectors. Thanks to the strong theoretical and practical foundation they receive, graduates of Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry can pursue diverse career paths, including:

• Working as a dentist in public hospitals and public oral and dental health centers,

• Opening their own private practice or working in private clinics and hospitals,

• Providing dental services to domestic and international patients within the rapidly developing field of health tourism in Türkiye,

• Pursuing an academic career as a research assistant or faculty member at universities.

Graduates may also choose to specialize through the Dentistry Specialization Examination (DUS) and receive further training in fields such as endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry (pedodontics), periodontology, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Additionally, they can pursue postgraduate studies at institutes of health sciences and advance academically through master’s and doctoral programs.

Graduates of Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry enter professional life with strong clinical experience, solid academic training, and comprehensive practical preparation. This background significantly enhances their employability and preference in both clinical and academic fields.

Fields of Specialization: DUS and Opportunities for Specialization in Dentistry

After completing their basic dental education, graduates may either continue practicing as general dentists or choose to specialize in specific branches of dentistry. In Türkiye, dentists who wish to specialize must take the Dentistry Specialization Examination (DUS). Based on their scores and placement results, they can receive specialization training at universities or training and research hospitals.

The main areas of specialization in dentistry are as follows:

• Orthodontics:
  Deals with the diagnosis and treatment of tooth and jaw malalignments. Fixed orthodontic appliances (braces) and clear aligner systems are among its core treatment modalities.

• Endodontics:
  Focuses on diseases and treatments related to the dental pulp and root canal system, including root canal therapy and associated procedures.

• Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics):
  Covers the oral and dental health of children from birth to approximately 13 years of age, including preventive and restorative treatments tailored to this age group.

• Periodontology:
  Concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting tissues around the teeth, including scaling, root planing, and periodontal surgery.

• Prosthodontics (Prosthetic Dentistry):
  Focuses on the functional and aesthetic restoration of missing teeth and associated structures using fixed, removable, or implant-supported prostheses.

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery:
  Encompasses surgical treatments such as impacted tooth extraction, cyst and lesion removal, implant surgery, and various maxillofacial surgical procedures.

• Oral Diagnosis and Radiology:
  Deals with the diagnosis of oral and dental diseases and their radiographic and imaging-based evaluation, as well as comprehensive treatment planning.

• Restorative Dentistry:
  Focuses on the restoration of tooth structure lost due to caries or trauma, and includes aesthetic restorations such as composite fillings, laminate veneers, and tooth whitening.

Graduates of Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry are prepared for the DUS and specialized training thanks to the strong theoretical and clinical background they acquire throughout their education. This foundation enables them to successfully progress into specialist training programs.

International Opportunities: Erasmus+, Bilateral Agreements, and Overseas Education Programs

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry offers a variety of international education and internship opportunities to help students gain global experience. These opportunities support both academic development and the acquisition of an international professional perspective.

The Erasmus+ Student Exchange Program is a significant advantage for dentistry students seeking international exposure. Our faculty maintains academic collaborations with distinguished faculties of dentistry across Europe, enabling successful and motivated students to study at partner universities for one or two semesters. Courses taken during the exchange period are recognized by Lokman Hekim University, ensuring that students do not experience academic loss while benefitting from exposure to different cultures and observing dental practices at an international level.

In addition to Erasmus+, bilateral agreements, short-term internship programs, and international summer schools provide opportunities for students to gain experience in countries beyond Europe. Through these programs, students can learn about different health systems, improve their professional English, and enhance their intercultural communication skills.

The Faculty of Dentistry aims to equip students not only with academic knowledge but also with a global outlook. To this end, the Erasmus Office and International Relations Unit provide guidance throughout the application and placement processes and offer information on available scholarship and funding opportunities.

International experience is an important step for students who aspire to pursue specialization, an academic career, or positions in international health institutions after graduation. In an applied field such as dentistry, clinical and educational experiences obtained in different countries significantly broaden professional vision and provide a valuable global perspective.

Overseas Language Education Opportunities

The university also offers students the opportunity to attend summer language courses and language schools in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. These programs contribute to the development of both academic and professional foreign language competencies.

Clinical Education: Internship and Practical Training Opportunities for Dentistry Students

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry provides students with a comprehensive and practice-oriented dental education. The preclinical and clinical training processes are designed to gradually transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

During the 4th and 5th years of the program, students participate in clinical rotations within different departments (divisions) of dentistry and gain experience through observation and hands-on treatment of real patients. Lokman Hekim Dental Hospital actively serves as the main clinical training environment in this process. Its modern technological infrastructure and diverse patient profile make a significant contribution to the development of students’ clinical competencies.

In addition, through the Erasmus+ program, students have the opportunity to complete clinical internships at leading universities and health institutions in Europe. These international experiences support both professional and cultural development and allow students to become acquainted with different health systems on a global scale.

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry aims to educate dentists who are competent at national and international levels, adhere to ethical values, and possess strong clinical and practical skills.

Laboratory Infrastructure: Applied Learning Environments in the Faculty of Dentistry

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry offers a modern and comprehensive educational experience supported by advanced laboratory and clinical infrastructure. The educational process is structured to ensure that theoretical knowledge is systematically transformed into practical skills. Within this framework, students benefit from a range of laboratory facilities throughout both the preclinical and clinical phases.

Laboratory Facilities

• Basic Medical Sciences Laboratories:
  Multidisciplinary laboratories where courses such as physiology, histology, and biochemistry are taught through practical applications. These laboratories are designed to strengthen students’ foundational knowledge in the basic sciences that support dental education.

• Simulation and Preclinical Laboratories:
  Students perform dental procedures on models and phantom heads in these laboratories, laying the groundwork for their clinical skills. Using simulation systems and phantom models, procedures that will later be performed on real patients are taught in an environment that closely resembles clinical conditions.

• Clinical Training Areas:
  In the advanced years of the program, students move on to diagnostic and therapeutic clinical training in various specialties, such as orthodontics, periodontology, endodontics, and prosthodontics. These theoretical and practical courses are carried out in modern clinical settings equipped with up-to-date dental technology.

Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Establishing a Clinic and Innovative Practice Models

The field of dentistry is not limited to clinical practice; it also offers significant opportunities in health entrepreneurship. Graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry may open their own private clinics and work independently, or they may take part in developing innovative health services and solutions.

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry aims to equip students not only with clinical skills but also with an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking. In this context, the university’s Health, Pharmaceutical and Technology Center (LHUSTEK) provides students and graduates with opportunities to develop technology-based health solutions.

Research and development projects, innovation initiatives in health technologies, and entrepreneurship support programs carried out within LHUSTEK enable graduates to develop products and services that add value to the health sector. Mentoring, business idea development, and commercialization support provided by the university help students and graduates take more informed and well-prepared steps toward establishing their own clinics or ventures.

Dentistry graduates are not limited to opening traditional practices; they may also engage in areas such as oral health technologies, digital dentistry applications, teledentistry, mobile clinic solutions, and innovative treatment models. These opportunities not only enhance individual success but also contribute to the digital transformation and advancement of the health sector more broadly.

Scholarship Opportunities: Financial Support in Dental Education

For many students who dream of becoming dentists, financial support is as important as the quality of education. Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry offers various scholarship opportunities that provide both academic and financial support, helping students build a strong future.

Full Scholarship Opportunities in the Faculty of Dentistry

Lokman Hekim University offers scholarships at the rates of 100%, 50%, and 25% to candidates who achieve high scores in the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS). These scholarships are determined based on the student’s national ranking and remain valid throughout the standard duration of study.

The most concise answer to the question “How can I study dentistry on a scholarship?” is: include Lokman Hekim University in your preference list and achieve the required score and ranking.

Additional Scholarships that Promote Success

Students of the Faculty of Dentistry can benefit from a variety of academic and social support scholarships offered by the university:

• Academic Achievement Scholarship: Additional financial support provided based on year-end grade point average.

• Need-Based Scholarship: Financial assistance for students with limited family income.

• Sibling Discount, Martyr–Veteran Family Scholarships, and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities: Special scholarship categories subject to specific conditions.

These scholarship schemes aim to reduce the financial burden students may face during their education and support their academic success.

Studying Dentistry at Lokman Hekim University

Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry provides a high-quality learning experience for scholarship students through modern laboratories, digital clinics, a practice-oriented education model, and a strong academic staff. While supporting the development of students’ professional competencies, the university also upholds accessibility and equal opportunity in education through its scholarship system.

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Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Dentistry prepares you for the future both professionally and personally through its scholarship opportunities and high-quality education.

Tuition and Scholarship Rates: Tuition Fees and Placement Ranks for the Faculty of Dentistry

Tuition Fees for the 2025–2026 Academic Year

Turkish Program

• 25% Scholarship Tuition: 690,000 TL

English Program

• 50% Scholarship Tuition: 460,000 TL

2024–2025 ÖSYS Placement Ranks – Faculty of Dentistry

Turkish Program

• 100% Scholarship: 28,053 – 31,624

• 25% Scholarship: 41,407 – 56,324

English Program

• 100% Scholarship: 29,627 – 31,624

• 50% Scholarship: 33,873 – 50,059

Program Information

• Score Type: SAY (Equal to the “Quantitative” track in the Turkish national exam system)

• Language of Instruction: Turkish

• Mode of Education: Full-time (On-campus)

• Duration of Study: 5 years

• Location: Söğütözü Location, Block B