In our dental surgeon fact sheet, we take a brief look at the difficult but challenging path to this career. In France, students must complete 6 years of study to become a dental surgeon , and even more if they specialize. In this article, we describe them one by one.
Initial stages of medical training
Before starting specialized dental surgery studies in France, it is essential to obtain a baccalauréat, preferably in a scientific stream. You will then have to choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Années Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a miscellaneous minor. This structure not only diversifies skills, but also offers the possibility of reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Students who are admitted to the program enter the health sector.
- Those who do not pass can reorient themselves towards their minor. They can retake the exam the following year.
- The PASS reduces the pressure of the single PACES entrance exam and diversifies students' skills.
- The Health Access License (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of health study courses on offer, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, L.AS students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills and reorientation.
Access to dentistry studies can also be gained via the passerelleprocedure. Only students holding a master's degree, a doctorate, a medical auxiliary diploma or an engineering qualification are eligible.
General dentistry studies
After the PASS or L.AS (see above), studies to become a dental surgeon are divided into two parts:
- Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Odontologiques (DFGSO): this three-year course includes theoretical instruction in anatomy, biology and pathology, and practical work in simulation. It includes the PASS or LAS, then the 2nd and 3rd years of dentistry. Students are responsible for purchasing their own equipment, although a loan system can be set up.
- Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Odontologiques (DFASO): this phase focuses on more specialized teaching and supervised clinical internships. It corresponds to the 4th and 5th years of study in dentistry. Students are required to complete clinical internships in dental departments alongside theoretical courses.
- The 3ᵉ cycle is divided into two tracks:
- The short cycle: lasts one year and prepares students for all aspects of the profession through a 250-hour active internship directly with an experienced dental surgeon.
- The long cycle: under the internship system, this allows students to specialize in dentofacial orthopedics, oral medicine or oral surgery. It lasts 3 to 4 years.
In addition, these courses can be taken at foreign faculties, provided the country to which they belong is part of the European Union.
How much does it cost to become a dental surgeon?
Students are among the most precarious social classes, due to the lack of time to work and support themselves. In this context, the adventure of studying dentistry can prove difficult without a good understanding of the budget required to complete it.
In France, according to a report by the Union nationale des étudiants en chirurgie dentaire (UNECD), each year of training costs around €1,250. To this must be added daily living costs in the form of rent, food and transport, amounting to around €1,300 per month. In addition, students have to pay for the materials they need to study dentistry. This additional cost represents a total of around €1,300.
In total, each month of a dental student's life costs around €3,300! A heavy burden, which you need to keep in mind if you don't want to be caught unprepared.
Careers and opportunities in dental surgery
A dental surgeon's career is full of challenges and rewards. Throughout his or her life, this specialist can renew his or her daily routine through, among other things, training courses enabling him or her to specialize, collaborations, a change in status or even a commitment to teaching or research.
Whicheverjob offer a dental surgeon chooses, he or she will be faced with stimulating new challenges. Whether you decide to leave your practice to join a clinic, switch from salaried work to humanitarian missions, or supplement your activity with teledentistry, the many possibilities will enable you to break away from routine and open up opportunities conducive to your personal and professional development.
In short, studying to become a dentist is demanding, but rewarding. With a high potential for specialization and a wide range of practice locations, this career offers stimulating features to satisfy even the most ambitious.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more, take a look at our dental surgeon salary sheet!
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Orthodontist (M/F) - Rueil-Malmaison, 92
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Rueil-Malmaison
A dental practice in Rueil-Malmaison, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, is seeking a new orthodontist (M/F) to join a minority-owned practice. The terms and conditions - Minority ownership - Part-time or full-time - 3 to 5 days per week - Monday through Friday The Practice This is a private dental practice located on the ground floor with direct access, right in the heart of downtown Rueil-Malmaison, dedicated to providing multidisciplinary care for the entire family—children, adolescents, and adults. As the longest-standing practice in its network, it employs eight dentists across nine treatment chairs and offers a wide range of services, including general dentistry, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, implantology and surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. This structure allows practitioners to focus on their clinical work without having to devote time to administrative tasks. Located west of Paris, Rueil-Malmaison offers a sought-after residential setting that combines Napoleonic heritage, the banks of the Seine, and easy access to the capital via the RER A line. Compensation For this position, you will receive 40% of the fees, with no deduction for the cost of prosthetics. Responsibilities - Providing orthodontic treatment for children and adults - Establishing orthodontic diagnoses and treatment plans - Fitting and monitoring orthodontic appliances, including clear aligners - Monitoring and adjusting treatments throughout the course of care - Collaborating with the practice’s multidisciplinary team Benefits - Established practice with nine treatment chairs in the city center - Network that handles administration, accounting, HR, and group purchasing - State-of-the-art technical equipment selected and funded by the network - Desmos practice management software with AI-assisted administrative support and automated quote signing - Strong online reputation and managed third-party billing - Parking reserved for practitioners - Option for temporary salaried staff during the first few months Equipment - Planmeca dental chairs - Planmeca Prox and RVG X-ray systems - Planmeca Prom panoramic and cephalometric X-ray - iTero 3D scanner - 3D printing - Phase-contrast microscope - Diode laser - Thermal sterilizer - Combi Touch (ultrasonic and air polishing) - Mectron Combi Touch periodontal motor - Reciproc Gold endodontic motor That little extra something Rueil-Malmaison is home to the Château de Malmaison, the residence of Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon I, surrounded by its park and rose gardens. The city stretches along the banks of the Seine—a favorite spot of the Impressionist painters—and is ideal for walks and water sports. Finally, just a few minutes from the La Défense business district, it combines a residential lifestyle with quick access to the heart of Paris. Qualifications Orthodontist licensed in France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Order, with at least two years of experience. Contact us at 06 67 76 60 76 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 13297 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in helping dental surgeons settle in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - French language training (B2 level) - Assistance with registration with the professional association (ONCD) - Assistance in finding housing - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Dental Surgeon (M/F) - Laveyron 26
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Laveyron
A dental practice in Laveyron, in the Drôme department, is seeking a new dentist (M/F) for a salaried position or a private practice partnership. Conditions - Salaried position or private practice arrangement, as preferred - Full-time or part-time The Practice This is a modern dental center entirely dedicated to dental care, equipped with a comprehensive and state-of-the-art technical facility, located in new and comfortable premises. The center enjoys high demand for dental services, allowing practitioners to quickly grow their practice. Nestled in the Rhône Valley, north of the Drôme, Laveyron enjoys a pleasant setting between the river and the hills, in the immediate vicinity of Valence and on the route connecting Lyon to Provence. Compensation For this position, you will receive a 55% share of revenue, calculated excluding the cost of prosthetics, which remain the responsibility of the practitioner. Responsibilities - Conducting dental consultations and providing dental care - Performing preventive, diagnostic, and treatment procedures - Developing treatment plans - Monitoring patient progress and fostering patient loyalty - Collaborating with other practitioners and professionals at the center Benefits - Modern, fully equipped practice - Large patient base and high demand for care - New and comfortable facilities - Dedicated parking space - Option to work full-time or part-time Equipment - Cone Beam - Dental panoramic X-ray That little extra Laveyron stretches along the Rhône, offering beautiful views of the river and the ViaRhôna, a cycling route that connects Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. The region is renowned for its fruit; the Drôme section of the Rhône Valley is one of France’s major orchard regions, known for its apricots and peaches. Finally, just a few minutes away, Saint-Vallier and the Hermitage hillsides invite you to discover the fine wines of the northern Rhône Valley. Qualifications Dental surgeon with a degree from France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Order. Contact us at 06 67 76 60 76 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 13280 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in placing dental surgeons in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - French language training (B2 level) - Assistance with registration with the professional association (ONCD) - Assistance with finding housing - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Dental Surgeon (M/F) - Annemasse 74
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Annemasse
As part of its business expansion, a dental practice in Annemasse, Haute-Savoie, is seeking a new dentist (M/F) to join as an independent practitioner. Terms and Conditions - Private practice - Part-time - Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays - From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Practice This is an independent dental practice that has been located in downtown Annemasse for over ten years and is spread over two floors. The team consists of four dentists, three dental assistants, and a secretary, working in an experienced and well-organized environment. The practice has recognized expertise in general dentistry as well as in surgery, implantology, periodontology, endodontics, and aligner treatments. Furthermore, Annemasse—the second-largest city in Haute-Savoie and the gateway to Greater Geneva—offers a dynamic lifestyle between Lake Geneva, the mountains, and in close proximity to Switzerland, making it ideal for balancing work and personal life. Compensation - 50% of gross revenue (same model applies to prosthetics) Responsibilities - Comprehensive care for patients in general dentistry - Providing conservative, prosthetic, and restorative dental care - Establishing diagnoses and treatment plans - Monitoring and retaining an existing patient base - Collaborating with the practice’s multidisciplinary team Benefits - Independent practice spread over two floors - A team of three dental assistants and one secretary - High patient volume and a loyal patient base - Dedicated space for pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to be set up—a great opportunity for growth - Logos practice management software - Parking reserved for practitioners - Partner dental laboratories Equipment - 3 fully equipped dental chairs - Cone Beam - Microscope - 3D camera That Extra Special Touch Just across the border from Switzerland, Annemasse offers a rare quality of life: the Salève, nicknamed the “balcony of Geneva,” overlooks the city and can be reached by cable car in just a few minutes. The town is also a hub for the Léman Express, the cross-border rail network that connects directly to downtown Geneva. With Lake Geneva just a stone’s throw away and the Alpine ski resorts within driving distance, you’ll never be short on weekend options. Qualifications Dental surgeon with a degree from France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the Order. Contact us at 06 67 76 60 76 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 13264 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in helping dental surgeons settle in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - French language training (B2 level) - Assistance with registration with the professional association (ONCD) - Assistance in finding housing - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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