The best countries to pursue dentistry for free or for under US$215,000

As exciting as going to university may be, it can be expensive — more so for those studying medicine and dentistry.   

This is because training someone to save lives takes up a lot of resources. Not only do universities have to pay for highly skilled professors, but they also have to invest in state-of-the-art facilities, simulation centres, and clinical science buildings.

Other factors are not related to the costs of providing or producing a medical education. These include increased demand for doctors or dentists and the education needed to realise this demand.

During the 2021 to 2022 academic year, there were 26,228 students enrolled in predoctoral dental education programmes. The average annual cost of the first year of dental school ranges from US$11,400 to US$84,630 for students attending private or out-of-state dental schools. 

Enrolling in a dental school may cost you a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars just to complete the four years of education. However, things don’t have to be that way. 

There are cheaper dental schools you can attend to get a good degree. You just have to choose the right country.

Cheapest countries to study dentistry

1. Brazil

Home to the lungs of the Earth, the most vibrant carnival in the world, and some of the most welcoming people worldwide, Brazil is a great choice to make as your study abroad destination.

The University of São Paulo’s dentistry programme ranks #13 on QS World University Rankings by subject and runs for four years. As a public university, most of its undergraduate programmes — including dentistry — are free of charge. However, lessons will be carried out in Portuguese — so take note before you jump the gun and apply.

You’d be surprised to find that Japan is one of the cheapest countries to study dentistry. The catch is just that you’ll have to learn Japanese. Source: AFP

2. Japan

Another place to consider earning your degree in dentistry is in the land of the rising sun. Like Brazil, you’ll need to be proficient in the local language — Japanese — which might take a little more effort. However, it’ll be all worth it if you can attend one of the world’s best dentistry universities at a cheap price and walk away with fluency in a new language too. 

The Tokyo Medical and Dental University ranks #4 in QS World University Rankings by subject and only costs an estimated US$20,489 for a six-year programme that includes clinical practice. However, take note that applicants must have taken Level I of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) administered jointly by the Japan Foundation and JASSO.

Here are some tips on how to pass the JLPT from two people who did it.

You don’t always have to pick the most expensive cities to study in. Nijmegen in the Netherlands has its own charm too. Source: AFP

3. The Netherlands

Dentistry programmes in the Netherlands are often conducted in Dutch. Still, seeing as dentists have a starting salary of at least US$3,339 and can earn up to US$13,357 in just three years, this might turn out to be a really good long-term investment. Plus, by the time you finish your programme, you’re well on your way to permanent residency status.

Located in Nijmegen, Radboud University is a public university offering a three-year bachelor’s and a three-year master’s in dentistry taught entirely in Dutch. The total tuition fee is around US$188,740.

4. Lithuania

If you aren’t too keen on having to pick up a new language, plenty of options still remain. Lithuania, for one, is an inexpensive country to consider pursuing your academic interests as the cost of living is cheaper than in 54% of countries in Eastern Europe.

The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences has a four-year BSc in health sciences and a qualification of a dental hygienist that is conducted in English. Tuition fees for this programme only cost up to around US$17,065.

The university also offers a master’s degree in odontology to educate dentists in diagnosing and treating dental conditions and cooperating with other healthcare specialists. The English-taught programme runs for five years and costs up to US$90,642.

Malaysia is a melting pot of culture, and the country’s inexpensive cost of living makes it a great place to pursue your studies abroad. Source: AFP

5. Malaysia

For English speakers who want somewhere with a lower cost of living for their studies, Malaysia is the place to be. On average, the cost of living here is 54% lower than in the US — rent is even 80% lower on average when compared to the US too.

The IMU University’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery has two tracks — completing the entire five-year degree at IMU or spending two and a half years there and then transferring to a partner university in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for the remaining courses. The former costs around US$149,794, and the latter costs at least US$502,988.

6. Puerto Rico 

Though not a common choice, Puerto Rico has a hidden gem of a university of aspiring dentists. The University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, located within the Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, is the only dental school in the country.

Accredited by the American Dental Association, the university offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Medicine for roughly US$213,069. The programme is carried out in English, so you won’t have to worry about an additional year’s expense to pick up Spanish, though it wouldn’t hurt to learn it for yourself anyway.

For professionals, the university offers a two-year Advanced Placement Programme for internationally trained dentists, and upon completion, they will earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. This costs US$24,500. 

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on August 23, 2024.