Faculty of Medicine

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Dental Medicine

The program of Bachelor of Dental Medicine in Bern aims not only to consolidate knowledge in the broad field of Dentistry, but also to promote social competencies to students, as the future professionals require high levels of independence, communication skills, and teamwork.

The complete program at the University of Bern lasts five years, where three years are related to Bachelor studies and two years of Master studies. The first two years are completed together with students of Human Medicine. For the third year of Bachelor and the two years of Master, the students start a highly practice-oriented training phase in Dentistry, at the dental clinics of the university. After completing the Master's program successfully, students are eligible to take the Federal Examination in Dentistry. Upon passing this examination, graduates have the qualifications to independently perform all treatments necessary for basic dental care and to identify situations requiring referral to specialists.

Hauptgebäude/Studium/Aula/Studenten in Hörsaal
©K&M

Study Content

Study aims


The program of Bachelor of Human Medicine provides a foundation in natural sciences and clinical fundamentals as the basis for the clinical specialty studies within the Master's program in Human Medicine.


Within the initial two years, the program of Bachelor of in Dental Medicine is generally identical to that of Human Medicine, primarily covering knowledge of the structure and function of the normal human body or organs. Both programs differ only in specific contents related to general practice (students of Human Medicine take a practicum in General Medicine, and students of Dental Medicine take a practicum in a Dental Clinic). A significant component of this course is Problem Based Learning (PBL), involving self-study and the delivery of knowledge, skills, and behaviour in an interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary manner. Previous systematic lectures have been replaced by a concept of lectures, group work (tutorials), practical courses (practicums), and self-study program to fulfil the goals of the program.


From the third year onwards, the Bachelor's program in Dentistry provides clinical fundamentals and skills at the dental clinics of the university, and serves as the basis for the clinical specialty studies within the Master's program in Dentistry

Elective Course - Clinical Assistance in the Student Courses at the ZMK Bern


As part of the program of Bachelor of in Dental Medicine, the dentistry students must take an elective course in the 1st and 2nd years of study. The elective course is mandatory for the first year students and it takes place at the dental clinics of the University of Bern (ZMK Bern). This is intended to provide students with an early insight into student life at ZMK Bern and the tasks they will encounter later in their studies. For the second year students, they can freely choose from the offerings of the medical faculty.


The elective course at ZMK Bern takes place on four half-days or 2 full days during the academic year. Each 1st- or 2nd-year student is assigned a tutor from the 4th or 5th year of study. Together with this tutor, the students can individually organize their elective internship. They have the opportunity to attend lectures together, stand as observer in the dental clinics, and, if possible, assist their tutors in working with patients or in the dental student laboratory. At the conclusion of the elective course, students must write a report on their experiences.

Curriculum Structure

The study of Dentistry is a regulated at a Federal level. University education spans a total of five years, and within Switzerland, it is offered at the universities of Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich (and Freiburg for the 1st and 2nd years). The final Federal Examination in Dentistry can be taken after ten semesters, and it is a prerequisite for postgraduate studies in dentistry, such as to obtain a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in a specific field of dentistry.

The "Bernese Curriculum" is divided into two sections: a three-year basic study (Bachelor's program) and a further two-year specialty program (Master's program). Both parts of the curriculum are concluded with a final examination:
Bachelor's examination ➞  Bachelor of Dental Medicine
Master's examination  ➞  Master of Dental Medicine
The successful completion of the master's examination is a prerequisite for admission to the Federal Examination in Dentistry.

Further information and documents for students

Deadlines

After the Bachelor Program

After completing the Bachelor Program in Dental Medicine, the students follow the consecutive Master's program.