The Faculty of Medicine of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice is the first in Slovakia to successfully prepare and implement a new 5-year Dental Medicine study program, which was definitively approved in early February 2025. This step represents a significant change in medical education in Slovakia and brings the study duration in line with most European countries.
Historical Context and Reasons for the Change
Dental Medicine has been taught at the Faculty of Medicine in Košice since its inception. Initially as a 5-year program, later as a 6-year program, and after Slovakia’s accession to the EU, it transformed into the current study program with the MDDr. degree. However, in all neighboring countries (e.g., Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland), the study duration is only 5 years, which created a disadvantage for Slovak faculties in international competition. Many domestic and international applicants preferred studying abroad, where they could obtain the same degree in a shorter time. This led to a gradual decline in interest in dental medicine studies in Slovakia. As a result, there was increased pressure for the standardization of the study program in line with other European countries. An important aspect of this change is that, unlike graduates of general medicine, dental doctors do not need to complete additional specialization and can immediately begin practicing their profession upon graduation.
Preparation and Implementation of the 5-Year Program
The change in study duration required a comprehensive reform of the curriculum to ensure graduates acquire the necessary knowledge and practical skills. An important principle was maintaining the scope of dental medicine education, while increasing the number of teaching hours, creating new subjects, and adjusting the study schedule. The preparation of the new study program was a complex and demanding process that went through a multi-level approval process in the academic structures of the faculty and subsequently at the level of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic. After its successful approval, it will be possible to admit new students to the 5-year Dental Medicine program starting in the 2025/2026 academic year. The first graduates are expected in 2030.
Transition Period and Challenges
The transformation of the study program is a process that brings several challenges. In the next 5 years, the faculty will simultaneously have students in both the 5-year and 6-year programs, which will require careful coordination of teaching and faculty capacity. In 2030, the faculty also expects double the number of graduates, as current 6-year program students will complete their studies alongside the first graduates of the new 5-year program. Issues concerning the transition period are currently being addressed, including conditions for repeating students, study interruptions, and re-enrollment in subjects. However, the faculty has enough time to prepare all the necessary measures to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
Competitive Advantage for Slovakia
By introducing the 5-year Dental Medicine program, Slovakia once again becomes a competitive destination for dental studies in Europe. This change is expected to increase interest from both domestic and international applicants, contributing to the maintenance of high-quality education and the development of the field in our region.
The Faculty of Medicine at UPJŠ in Košice is proud to be the first faculty in Slovakia to successfully prepare and implement this reform and believes it will have a positive impact on future generations of dental doctors.
