Diploma Programme in Dental Medicine (Dr. med. dent.)

This is a twelve-semester degree programme, in which graduates earn the Dr. med. dent. and the licence to practise dentistry according to the accreditation.

DPU stands for excellence in science, teaching and research, offering a state-of-the-art degree programme. This is guaranteed first, on the basis of knowledge transfer by renowned professors, and second, by practical training based on the latest methods and state-of-the-art equipment.

At DPU, performance-oriented students are integrated into a broad and intensive study programme. Due to the organisation of the programme (20 weeks per semester instead of the usual 15 at state universities), individual courses in the curriculum conforming to EU guidelines can be deepened and the curriculum can be expanded to cover topics, such as Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM or Implantology, which are now indispensable in a Dental Excellence practice.

The structure of the programme is characterised by intensive teaching blocks with follow-up tutorials and a strong practical orientation.

Real-world Orientation

The department of Medicine/Dentistry attaches great importance to special real-world orientation right From the beginning of the course. The programme starts with an “Introduction to dental, oral and maxillofacial medicine” lecture, which is immediately followed by an almost four-week internship in the dental propaedeutical laboratory (50 workstations) and a three-day practical course in the Phantom Room (74 units from Dentsply Sirona). In the second semester, the introduction to clinical dentistry, materials science and practice hygiene is followed by the “Professional Exploration” internship; this is initially carried out on campus and then in the form of an internship in a dental practice. As an introduction to the clinical care of their patients, students receive intensive training in the various specialist areas on the phantom (74 Dentsply Sirona units) from the fifth semester onwards until they are ready for the clinic and starting patient treatment.  

The DPU Dental Clinic in Krems is available for clinical training with more than 50 treatment units and an operating theatre from Dentsply Sirona, as well as a pioneering digital practice from Planmeca. Live broadcasting of surgeries into the lecture hall and all modern imaging procedures for diagnostics are also available. Under the supervision of a professional clinic team, the dentists in training can care for a wide range of patients in a diagnosis- and case-oriented manner at the different centres. In addition to fulfilling the general clinical specifications, the dentists in training (candidati  med. dent.) can also provide additional services.  For example, each student places an average of six implants during the integrated treatment course at DPU and uses CEREC extensively for their patients. The dental technical work for patients at the DPU Dental Clinic in Krems is done by dental technicians in DPU’s own commercial laboratory, as well as in the dental technical partner laboratories, in cooperation with the Research Centre for Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM. This allows the med. dent. candidates to focus fully on the diagnosis and therapy of their patients during the clinical phase of the programme. This is accompanied by training in radiation protection, sterile supplies and qualified first aid in the dental setting, among other things. Supplementing the integrated treatment course, weekly case reviews and clinical knowledge circles on the building blocks of knowledge as well as in study clubs,  the theory behind the practice is evaluated by the professor responsible for teaching and the senior physicians in charge.

Overall Responsibility

In addition to comprehensive basic medical training, the study programme is consistently geared towards the overall responsibility of dentists. This takes place in highly networked cooperation between the various disciplines. The biosciences subjects, as well as human medicine, are focused on special challenges in dentistry. Medical subjects are part of the studies at DPU to a greater extent than is internationally customary in contemporary dentistry courses.  Theoretical knowledge in these fields is supplemented by practical training at medical institutions.

Students are taught the internal patient-centred approach of a healing professional focusing on the human being consistent with advances in technology. Seminars in ethics, integrity, mindfulness and resilience give students the opportunity to develop their individual skills for the benefit of the patients. This holistic view of the patient and focus on patient health are an important part of the programme.

Encourage and Challenge

Lecturers and students engage in an open and lively exchange. Despite stringent academic demands, studies at DPU take place in a positive, familiar atmosphere. Mutual consideration and learning in a community take the place of selfish competition. Students are involved in working and research groups according to their talents and distinguish themselves in competition with students from other universities. The outstanding academic results of the programme are published internationally. The reputation of the university and the quality of teaching ultimately shape the later achievements of the programme graduates, their enjoyment and success in the profession, and in lifelong learning. DPU makes this possible through postgraduate university study programmes for leading to the degree of Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Science (Continuing Education) (MSc) (CE) and the scientific doctoral programme in dentistry (PhD).

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Dieter Müßig, Rector of DPU