When a Saudi student thinks about health specializations outside the Kingdom, the dentistry market in Saudi Arabia is witnessing exceptional growth driven by rising health awareness and increased private medical spending — and demand for Saudi doctors in this specialization exceeds supply by a noticeable margin.
The real opportunity: studying dentistry in Europe costs less than human medicine, takes one year less (5 years instead of 6), and admission is less competitive. In this comprehensive guide, the Future Way Academy team presents everything a Saudi student needs: the best 5 European countries for studying dentistry, the universities, the real costs, Saudi recognition, and job opportunities after graduation.
| 5 years The predominant study duration | €8,000 – 14,000 Average annual tuition | 20% lower than medicine Total cost | Growing Saudi demand A promising market after graduation | Recognized at universities listed in WHED |
Dentistry or human medicine? — an objective comparison for the Saudi student
| Item | Dentistry | Human medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Study duration in Europe | 5 years | 6 years |
| Total costs for Europe | About 15-25% lower | The highest among health specializations |
| Admission competitiveness | Less than medicine | Very high competition |
| Minimum GPA | 75% – 85% (slightly lower) | Usually 85%+ |
| Job opportunities in Saudi Arabia | Wide — a clear shortage of personnel | Wide — constant demand |
| Average starting salary (Saudi Arabia) | SAR 10,000 – 20,000 | SAR 12,000 – 25,000 |
| Possibility of independent work (a clinic) | Easier than medicine | Harder — a specialty is required |
| Early professional independence | High — a clinic can be opened | Lower — needs a fellowship first |
| Postgraduate study and specialization | Fine dental sub-specialties | A medical specialty (a long fellowship) |
| When is dentistry the smarter choice? If your budget is relatively limited, or your GPA is between 75% and 85%, or you are thinking of independent work and opening a clinic early after graduation — then dentistry is a strategic choice par excellence. The Saudi market is in strong need of qualified Saudi dentists. |
The dentistry market in Saudi Arabia — what awaits you after graduation?
Why does the Saudi market need you?
Vision 2030 has pumped large investments into the Saudi health sector in general, and dentistry is among the fastest-growing sectors. The Saudization rate in private dental clinics is still below the target — and this means genuine demand for Saudi dentistry graduates.
| Employment sector | Monthly salary range | Salary (SAR) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government hospitals | ███████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ | 10,000 – 16,000 | Job stability |
| Major private hospitals | ██████████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ | 14,000 – 22,000 | Higher salary |
| Private clinics (salary + commission) | ██████████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ | 12,000 – 25,000 | Variable |
| Private clinic — as an owner | ██████████████████████████████████████░░░░░░░░ | 18,000 – 35,000 | After years of experience |
| Healthcare companies | █████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ | 12,000 – 18,000 | An administrative track |
Dental sub-specialties — the highest in demand in Saudi Arabia
- Orthodontics: one of the most profitable specialties
- Implantology: growing demand with rising health awareness
- Cosmetic Dentistry: a huge private sector
- Pediatric Dentistry: an acute shortage of Saudi specialists
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery: a surgical specialty linked to medicine and dentistry
| Professional independence is a real advantage A dentist can open their own clinic after a short period of experience — and this is fundamentally different from a physician, who needs years of fellowship before full independence. For anyone thinking of medical entrepreneurship: dentistry is the most realistic path. |
The best 5 European countries for studying dentistry for Saudis
A detailed card for each country — the ranking is based on: Saudi recognition + cost + training quality + ease of admission.
| ① First 🇵🇱 Poland 🇪🇺 | |
| Leading university: Medical University of Warsaw (WUM) | Annual tuition: €7,000 – 11,000 |
| Monthly living: €500 – 700 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Well-established — wide equivalency precedents | |
| Competitive tuition + European quality + a fully English environment | The easiest admission among the five |
| ② Second 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇪🇺 | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €10,000 – 12,000 |
| Monthly living: €600 – 900 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Documented — LSMU in WHED and WDOMS | |
| Fully English + a specialized health university + advanced university clinics | Less competitive than human medicine |
| ③ Third 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇪🇺 | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €11,000 – 14,000 |
| Monthly living: €700 – 1,000 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Well-established — Charles University has a global academic reputation | |
| The most venerable university in the region + a degree of exceptional international weight | The most competitive admission |
| ④ Fourth 🇮🇹 Italy 🇪🇺 | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €10,000 – 14,000 |
| Monthly living: €700 – 1,000 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: Available — Humanitas in WHED | |
| Modern English programs + a rich Italian lifestyle + advanced dental technology | May require the IMAT entrance exam |
| ⑤ Fifth 🇲🇹 Malta 🇪🇺 | |
| Leading university: | Annual tuition: €14,000 – 17,000 |
| Monthly living: €700 – 1,100 per month | Study duration: 5 years |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi recognition: A British degree (QMUL) recognized in Saudi Arabia | |
| A British-weight degree in a warm European setting + official English | Verify the availability of the DMD program |
| Verify the availability of dentistry specifically Not every university offers dentistry in English even if it offers human medicine. Always verify the existence of an established English DMD or BDS program before applying. The Future Way team carries out this verification free of charge within 24 hours. |
A detailed comparison — dentistry in the five countries
| Criterion | Poland | Lithuania | Czech Republic | Italy | Malta |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual tuition (€) | 7,000 – 11,000 | 10,000 – 12,000 | 11,000 – 14,000 | 10,000 – 14,000 | 14,000 – 17,000 |
| Monthly living (€) | 500 – 700 | 600 – 900 | 700 – 1,000 | 700 – 1,000 | 700 – 1,100 |
| Total 5 years (€) | 55,000 – 82,000 | 76,000 – 110,000 | 85,000 – 130,000 | 84,500 – 130,000 | 105,000 – 151,000 |
| Total (approx. SAR) | 206,000 – 307,000 | 285,000 – 412,000 | 318,000 – 487,500 | 316,000 – 487,500 | 393,000 – 566,000 |
| Saudi recognition | Well-established | Documented | Well-established | Available | QMUL recognized |
| Language of study | English | English | English | English | English |
| Admission difficulty | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| European Union | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| The golden recommendation from the Future Way team For those who want quality at the lowest cost: Poland. For those who want a specialized medical university fully in English: Lithuania. For those who want the weightiest international degree: the Czech Republic. For those who want a rich European experience in a warm country: Italy or Malta. Each country is a winner for a different type of student. |
Admission requirements at European dentistry faculties
| Country | Minimum GPA | Core subjects | Special test? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 72% – 82% | Biology, chemistry | Sometimes — biology | The easiest admission of the five |
| Lithuania (LSMU) | 78% – 85% | Biology, chemistry | Yes — sciences | Less competitive than human medicine |
| Czech Republic (Charles) | 80% – 88% | Biology, chemistry | Yes — an entrance exam | The most competitive |
| Italy (Humanitas) | 75% – 83% | Biology, chemistry | Yes — the IMAT exam sometimes | A modern program — a good window |
| Malta (QMUL) | 75% – 82% | Biology, chemistry | Usually not | Verify the availability of the DMD program |
The manual dexterity test — what many do not know
Some dentistry faculties in Europe run a manual dexterity test — a test that measures fine manual ability, because dentistry is a specialty that relies primarily on the precision of the hand. The test sometimes includes carving clay materials or performing specific precise movements. Preparing for it is possible and useful.
English language requirements
- IELTS Academic: 5.5 – 6.0 (usually sufficient)
- TOEFL iBT: 72 – 80
- Prior study in English — accepted with an official certificate
Documents required for the application file
- High school certificate + transcript — translated and certified
- Valid passport
- English language certificate
- A motivation letter showing your reasons for choosing dentistry specifically
- Academic recommendation letters (for some universities)
- Personal photos on a white background
- Application fee: €50 – 150 (non-refundable)
Saudi recognition of the European dentistry degree
The recognition and licensing path
A European dentistry degree passes through two stages of recognition before practicing the profession in Saudi Arabia:
- The first stage: equating the degree with the Saudi Ministry of Education (confirming the university and specialization) — see our article:
equivalency of European certificates in Saudi Arabia
- The second stage: licensing from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) — necessary to practice the dentistry profession
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| The five universities in WHED | All listed |
| WDOMS (WHO) recognition for dentistry | For the major public universities |
| Successful equivalency precedents in Saudi Arabia | Documented for the Czech Republic and Poland — available for the rest |
| Saudi Commission licensing (SCFHS) | Required — a professional licensing exam |
| Is the QMUL Malta degree recognized? | Yes — the British QMUL degree is recognized |
| Estimated equivalency time | 3 – 6 months (with complete documents) |
To review the details of the Saudi external scholarship and the possibility of applying it to the dentistry specialization in the five countries, see our dedicated page.
The full financial picture — 5 years of dentistry in Europe
A comparison of the full total for 5 years
| Destination | Total tuition (€) | Total living (€) | Full total (€) | Total (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 35,000 – 55,000 | 30,000 – 42,000 | 65,000 – 97,000 | 243,000 – 363,000 |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | 50,000 – 60,000 | 36,000 – 54,000 | 86,000 – 114,000 | 322,000 – 427,000 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 55,000 – 70,000 | 42,000 – 60,000 | 97,000 – 130,000 | 363,000 – 487,000 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 50,000 – 70,000 | 42,000 – 60,000 | 92,000 – 130,000 | 345,000 – 487,000 |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | 70,000 – 85,000 | 42,000 – 66,000 | 112,000 – 151,000 | 420,000 – 566,000 |
| A comparison with dentistry in the Kingdom Studying at private dentistry faculties inside the Kingdom may exceed SAR 200,000 – 350,000 for the 5 years — close to the cost of Poland and Lithuania but with a more widely recognized international degree. The real difference is the value of the international degree and the experience of living in Europe. |
Practical tips before enrolling at a European dentistry faculty
1- Try the profession before enrolling
Spend a week or more observing a dentist in our clinics or hospitals. Dentistry is precise manual work that requires patience and tolerance for repetitive tasks. Anyone who does not enjoy this kind of manual work will find 5 years very long.
2- The sub-specialty determines your future income
During your European study years, start thinking early about the sub-specialty you will pursue after graduation. Orthodontics, implantology, and cosmetic dentistry are the most profitable in the Saudi market, and some European universities offer introductory courses in these fields.
3- Prepare for the SCFHS exam from the fourth year
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties exam for dentistry requires systematic preparation. Students who begin guided review from the fourth year succeed at far higher rates. Preparation resources are available in English and Arabic.
4- The documents from graduation day
Start gathering the equivalency documents — the graduation certificate, the transcript, and Foreign Affairs certification — 6 months before your expected graduation date. Delay in this step needlessly delays your employment by many months.
| A summary of the Future Way team’s tips for the dentistry student Choose a country and university that suits your budget and GPA first, confirm Saudi recognition before any decision, think about your future sub-specialty from now, and start preparing for the SCFHS exam from the fourth year. All these steps together take you from the lecture hall in Europe to your own clinic in Saudi Arabia by the shortest possible path. |
Frequently asked questions about studying dentistry in Europe for Saudis
Is dentistry from Europe recognized in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a dentistry degree from European universities listed in WHED is recognized in the Kingdom after fulfilling the two equivalency stages: the Ministry of Education first, then the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), which grants the professional practice license.
What is the cheapest European country for studying dentistry?
Poland is the cheapest among the five countries. Tuition starts from €7,000 per year with living of €500-700 per month. The estimated total for the 5 years is between SAR 243,000 and 363,000. Lithuania comes second with higher quality and a comparable cost.
What are the admission requirements at European dentistry faculties?
The general requirements: a GPA between 72% and 88% depending on the university, high grades in biology and chemistry, an English language certificate (IELTS 5.5+ usually). Some universities require a scientific entrance exam or a manual dexterity test. Admission in dentistry is less competitive than human medicine at most universities.
How many years is studying dentistry in Europe?
The duration of studying dentistry in most European countries is a full five years, after which a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree is awarded. This is one year less than human medicine — a year that saves considerable time and money.
Does the Saudi scholarship include dentistry in Europe?
Yes, dentistry is a priority health specialization included in Saudi scholarship programs. The basic condition is that the university and specialization be listed in the approved list of the sending body. Obtaining preliminary written approval from the body before applying is advised.
Future Way Academy — your companion at every step of the academic journey
This is the fifteenth and final article in a series of 15 comprehensive guides written by the Future Way Academy team specifically for the Saudi student seeking a genuine academic opportunity abroad. From Lithuania to Georgia, from medicine to dentistry and pharmacy, and from the secrets of scholarships to recognition maps — each guide was designed to be a true reference, not just content.
If you are ready for the first step, the Future Way team starts with you from the free verification of the university’s and specialization’s recognition, and ends with you settled in your European lecture hall.
| 🦷 Start your career in European dentistry with Future Way We assess your profile, choose the country and university with you, prepare your admission file, and accompany you until you sit in your own clinic in the Kingdom. This is not a promise — this is what our students tell themselves. |
