Becoming a Dental Specialist in Turkey: Specialties, Training, and Career Path

What Are the Dental Specialties in Turkey?

Dentistry is a broad field of medicine with specialized areas focusing on different aspects of oral health. Becoming a dental specialist in Turkey requires additional education and expertise in one of these fields. Dental specialties provide specific treatments to ensure patients receive the best possible care. In Turkey, dentistry is divided into various specialties, requiring additional training beyond a general dental degree.

Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics)

Pediatric dentistry, known as pedodontics, is a specialty focused on treating children’s dental health. Pedodontists specialize in primary teeth and the oral health of children up to the age of 12. They receive extensive training to ensure treatments are performed in a way that minimizes fear and discomfort for young patients.

To become a pediatric dentist in Turkey, a general dentist must complete three additional years of specialty training. Pedodontists provide treatments such as:

• Sedation and general anesthesia for dental procedures,
• Primary tooth amputation,
• Fillings,
• Root canal treatments,
• Preventive dentistry.

At our clinic, Dr. Özge Gönenç, a board-certified pedodontist, provides specialized care for children.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty that focuses on the mouth, jaw, and facial structures. Dentists who want to specialize in this field undergo four years of additional surgical training.

Some of the primary treatments performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons include:

• Tooth extractions,
• Wisdom tooth surgery,
• Dental implant placement,
• Cyst removal surgeries,
• Orthognathic surgery (jaw correction surgeries),
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) treatments.

At our clinic, Dr. Onur Uzun is an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon dedicated to providing expert care.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and restoring damaged teeth. Dentists specializing in this field treat:

• Broken or fractured teeth,
• Aesthetic composite restorations,
• Emax laminate veneers,
• Decayed teeth requiring advanced restoration.

To become a specialist in restorative dentistry, dentists in Turkey must complete an additional three years of trainingbeyond their general dental degree.

Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the treatment of the tooth’s pulp and root canal system. Dentists specializing in endodontics are known as endodontists and must complete three years of additional training.

Endodontists specialize in:

• Root canal treatments,
• Treating teeth with periapical lesions,
• Retreatment of failed root canals,
• Managing dental trauma,
• Removing fractured instruments from canals.

At our clinic, Dr. Esra Uluköylü, an expert endodontist, provides specialized root canal treatments.

Prosthetic Dentistry (Prosthodontics)

Prosthetic dentistry is the field that focuses on dental prostheses and aesthetic restorations. Treatments in this specialty include:

• Implant-supported prostheses,
• Metal-ceramic, zirconium, and glass-ceramic crowns,
• Laminate veneers,
• Smile design and Hollywood Smile applications,
• Total or partial removable dentures.

Becoming a prosthodontist requires three additional years of specialty training.

Periodontology (Gum Disease Treatment)

Periodontology deals with diseases of the gum and surrounding tissues. Specialists in this field are called periodontologists and receive three years of advanced training.

Common treatments provided by periodontologists include:

• Treatment of gum recession and inflammation,
• Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning),
• Gingival curettage,
• Free gingival graft procedures,
• Dental implant placement.

Orthodontics (Braces and Jaw Alignment)

Orthodontics focuses on correcting misaligned teeth and jaw disorders. Orthodontists treat:

• Crooked teeth,
• Malocclusion (bite problems),
• Narrow jaw structures,
• Jaw growth issues.

Orthodontists use braces and clear aligners to realign teeth. To become an orthodontist in Turkey, dentists must complete four years of specialty training.

At our clinic, Dr. Gülay Durmuş provides expert orthodontic care for patients of all ages.

Oral Diagnosis and Radiology

Oral diagnosis and radiology is the first-line specialty in dentistry, responsible for detecting and diagnosing oral conditions. Specialists in this field are trained in:

• 3D imaging,
• Ultrasonography evaluations,
• Radiographic interpretation and diagnosis.

To become an oral diagnosis and radiology specialist, dentists must complete three additional years of training.

How to Specialize in Dentistry in Turkey?

Do Dentists Need to Take an Exam to Specialize?

Yes. Dentists in Turkey must take the DUS (Dentistry Specialization Exam) to qualify for specialty training. Admission to different specialties is based on exam scores and rankings.

Is There Mandatory Service After Specialization?

Currently, there is no mandatory service requirement for dentists after completing their specialty training in Turkey. However, in the past, those who received specialization training under the Ministry of Health’s quota had to fulfill a compulsory service period. Today, specialty training is provided only under the Higher Education Council (YÖK), meaning no mandatory service is required.

Why Should You See a Specialist Dentist?

In modern dentistry, specialization plays a critical role. While general dentists receive broad training, specialists undergo focused theoretical and practical training in a specific field. This additional expertise allows them to provide more precise, advanced, and successful treatments.

If you are considering dental treatment in Turkey, seeking care from a specialist dentist ensures that you receive the most advanced and effective treatment available.