Apply for study programme “Dentistry”

"We are happy that the Commission has decided to license the programme. Now we will be able to attract an even larger number of foreign students. After the opening of the clinic this winter, prospective students already expressed their interest in the programme, therefore we plan to enrol the first students already this year," says the Dean of the UL Faculty of Medicine (FM), Prof. Ingrīda Rumba-Rozenfelde. With the help of a generous EUR 1,000,000 contribution by Marija Mārite Ķiploks, the UL FM has developed an international dentistry study programme with a modern clinic, which was opened in February 2014. The demanding but rewarding work on the programme lasted for four years and now the first 15 students can be admitted for the autumn semester, says Head of the UL FM Dental Clinic and Dentistry Programme Assoc. Prof. Ieva Henkuzena. The studies will be held in English in an international and modern environment in line with the Northern European curriculum. Dentistry in Latvia dates back to 1921 when a Dentistry Department was established at the UL Faculty of Medicine. Back then, the Head of the Department was Prof. Kārlis Barons (1865–1944), one of the first Latvian dentists. The dental curriculum leads to the dentist degree, and forms the basis for specialist education or scientific (PhD) studies. The aim of the study programme is to prepare qualified specialists with theoretical and practical skills appropriate to commence independently practicing general dentistry. Programme has been developed according to EU Directive2005/36/EC of mutual recognition of qualifications of health care professionals, directly related to the guidelines of Association of Dental Education in Europe. Programme comprises several components like biomedical subjects, common to medicine and dentistry. Appreciation of human development, structure, function, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases will be taught in modular form based on the systems of human body. Knowledge of oral and dental aspects of biological science will ensure understanding of the diagnosis, causes, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders, and the effects of systemic disease on oral and dental tissues. In order to obtain instruction and experience of the practice of dentistry, development of the clinical/manual skills of the students, clinical part of the study plan has significant role. Pre- clinical training will take place in phantom laboratories and clinics. Clinical training includes the treatment of patients under the supervision of clinical instructor. Career  opportunities Successful graduates of the study program have employment opportunities based on professional qualification. The possibilities of joining the oral health care centers or private dental clinics or creating own practices are available as soon as professional certificate is obtained.

Autumn Intake (studies start in Sept 2014)
Application deadlines:

- for EU/ EEA/Swiss citizens and EU residence permit holders – July 7, 2014

- for Non-EU citizens - May 15, 2014 About the Faculty of Medicine 973 medical specialists graduated the UL FM in the academic year 2013/2014. Within the 15 years after the restoration of the UL FM, there have been 3000 graduates: doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Currently, there are 1393 Latvian and 107 foreign students at the faculty. The programmes offered at the UL Faculty of Medicine meet all the modern requirements and are based on the latest scientific achievements and experience of the Scandinavian countries. All programmes are accredited and comply with the regulatory requirements of the European Union. The studies largely focus on practical classes, as well as internship in Riga’s leading hospitals and medical establishments. For scientific purposes, we have established an extensive cooperation with several research institutions in Latvia. The UL FM is proud of its authority figures in Latvian medicine, young and talented teachers, as well as its guest lecturers from Sweden, Germany and the United States. In its opening year 1998/1999, the UL FM had 47 academic staff members. Within the last 15 years, this number has reached 172 including 15 professors, six guest professors and 27 associate professors.