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!
This offer may be of interest to you
Jober can accompany you on your next professional adventure. Take a look at our special offer.
Dental surgeon - Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche 87
Employee
5000 - 15 000 per month
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
Dental Surgeon Job M/F - Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche 87 We are recruiting a dental surgeon M/F to join a mutualist dental clinic located in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, Haute-Vienne, on a full-time permanent contract. Description and duties You will work as a general practitioner in a modern facility, where you will be exclusively focused on your clinical activity. You'll be supported by a dedicated dental assistant in the dental chair, with whom you'll form a stable pairing, favoring performance and quality of care. Your practice will be optimized by the use of the TRIOS optical impression camera and collaboration with a French laboratory renowned for the consistent quality of its prostheses. A three-week integration course is offered to each new practitioner to help you settle in and register with the association. Logistical support is provided to simplify your arrival, from accommodation to personal administrative procedures. Structure DNA This mutual group comprises eight dental establishments across France. It makes a point of promoting team spirit, cooperation between practitioners and the sharing of experience. Every month, a meeting is organized to exchange best practices, points for improvement and feedback. The structure guarantees a serene environment, free from administrative tasks, with a high-performance technical platform and a full administrative team. Our partner laboratory, renowned for the quality of its prostheses, ensures that they are manufactured to professional standards. Compensation Attractive remuneration as a % of sales generated, to be discussed during your recruitment process. Benefits - Full-time, permanent employee status - Housing allowance of 400€ per month for two months - Dedicated dental assistant in the chair, personalized pairing - TRIOS intra-oral camera and complete technical set - Monthly meetings to encourage sharing and team building - Help with settling in: accommodation, banking, registration with the medical association>. - Employee benefits: luncheon vouchers, vacation vouchers, gift vouchers Profile sought Dental surgeon M/F with a European Union diploma, registered or eligible for registration with the Ordre national des chirurgiens-dentistes in France. Young graduates welcome. Contact us at O6 67 76 60 76 or by email via [email protected] Advertisement reference: 10864 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile application. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with. Candidates from the European Union: JoberGroup, France's leading dental surgeon integration company, will support you free of charge right up to the start of your business: - Language training (Level B2) - Put you in touch with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration (ONCD) - Help with finding accommodation - Consultant dedicated to your support
Dental surgeon M/F - CDI - 32% gross - Comfortable living - Deauville 14
Employee
5000 - 15000 per month
Deauville
Dental Surgeon Job M/F - Deauville 14 Are you interested in starting a career in a town renowned for its high quality of life? Enjoying the sea air and calm of Normandy would be a good prospect for you? A dental clinic, ideally located in Deauville, is recruiting a dental surgeon M/F, in order to support the referent doctor with major experience in his field, always ready to train young practitioners. You will have access to modern equipment (pano, 3D scan, digital impression and implant of the brand you want) and complete premises of 200 m², a surgical block and 5 chairs. A parking space will be at your disposal. Within this establishment renowned for the quality of its services and care, you will benefit from an attractive remuneration of 32% gross. Position benefits: - Salaried status on a permanent contract, full-time or part-time. - 32% gross salary - Dedicated chairside ADQ - Training by an experienced practitioner - Zero administrative tasks - Outstanding quality of work Location : Deauville 14800 The aim is also to give you something to compare by proposing other opportunities, full-time or part-time, in different structures all over France and matching your search criteria. Find thousands of healthcare offers on our website and mobile application. Profiles sought: Dental surgeon qualified in France or the European Union, Registered or registrable with the French National Medical Council. Contact us at: 06 67 76 60 76
Dental surgeon - Sommières 30
Liberal
5000 - 15000 per month
Aspères
Dental Surgeon Job M/F - Sommières 30 We are recruiting a dental surgeon M/F to join a liberal dental structure located in Sommières, in the Gard region, within the framework of a liberal collaboration. Description and missions You will work as a general practitioner in a fully renovated practice equipped with a modern technical platform. You will have a dedicated chair, with an adaptable schedule of a minimum of 3 to 4 days a week. You'll be able to carry out conventional general practice treatments on your own, and you'll have the opportunity to take over a large part of the patient base of two colleagues who have retired. The structure's DNA The facility, which opened in October 2024, is located in a fully renovated, bright and welcoming building. Located in the center of Sommières, it offers 150 m² of carefully designed space, including 3 treatment rooms, 1 block, 1 terrace and 1 private parking lot. It is currently run by 2 dynamic associates and 2 qualified dental assistants. Finally, it has all the equipment you'll need, including panoramic X-ray, Cone Beam, digital camera, 3shape and surgical block. Compensation For this position, you will have a retrocession up to 60% of sales monthly for the practitioner. Benefits - Self-employed status - Attractive retrocession of 60% of sales. - Modern technical platform - New, bright practice with terrace and private parking - Schedule to suit your availability - Schedule to be adapted according to your availability, possibility of working on Saturdays - High patient potential following local closures - Immediate medical environment (radiology, emergencies) Profile sought Dental surgeon M/F with a state diploma in dental surgery and registered with the Ordre National des Chirurgiens-Dentistes. Contact us at : O6 67 76 6O 76 Advertisement reference: 10162 Find over 4,000 healthcare job offers on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts at your service and a totally free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with. Candidates from the European Union: JoberGroup, France's leading dental surgeon integration company, supports you free of charge right up to the start of your business: - Language training (Level B2) - Put you in touch with our partner teachers - Follow-up for registration (ONCD) - Help with finding accommodation - Dedicated consultant to support you #JoberRecruteDM
See all available offers for this category