Guidance for Dentists

Authorisation or licence to practice dentistry in Finland for a person who has qualified as a dentist outside of the EU or EEA

Non-EU/EEA Nationals

The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) may grant, upon application and subject to certain conditions, a right to practise as an authorised or licensed dentist in Finland to a non-EU/EEA national who has qualified as a dentist outside of the EU/EEA, who holds the required qualifications as prescribed by Decree and can demonstrate adequate language proficiency.

In order to be licensed or authorised, applicants must have completed any such service, any such additional studies and passed any such examination as may be prescribed by Valvira to ensure that their qualifications are of an equivalent standard to dentistry training offered in Finland. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Finnish or Swedish.

Valvira grants, as a rule, non-EU/EEA nationals a licence to practise as a dentist in Finland, provided that the above conditions are met in full.

EU/EEA nationals

Valvira grants, upon application, a licence to practice dentistry to a citizen of an EU/EEA country who has qualified as a dentist outside of the EU/EEA and who holds such qualifications for the practice of the occupation as are prescribed by Decree.

In order to be licensed, the applicant must have completed any such additional studies and passed any such examination as may be prescribed by Valvira to ensure that his/her qualifications are of an equivalent standard to the odontological training offered in Finland.

Valvira grants, upon application, the right to practise the profession of a dentist or a specialised dental practitioner as a licensed professional to citizens of EU/EEA member states who hold a right, granted in another EU/EEA member state, to practise the said profession on the basis of training received in a non-EU/EEA country. The granting of this right is subject to the applicant having served as a dentist for at least three years in the EU/EEA member state in which he/she was granted the right to practise.

Conditions of licensing

Licensing is subject to the following conditions, as prescribed by Valvira:

1. Non-EU/ EEA graduates

Training is defined as the completion of a basic dental qualification fulfilling certain prescribed criteria, proof of which the applicant is required to present in the form of a degree certificate or diploma along with a transcript of subjects studied. The degree certificate and its appendix must be provided in Finnish, Swedish or English translation.

2. Knowledge of the Finnish or Swedish language

Applicants are required to provide a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (grade “satisfactory”) or a National Certificate of Language (intermediate level ,skills levels 3–4) as evidence of language proficiency. Certificates of Finnish or Swedish studies, such as language courses, are not in themselves adequate proof of language proficiency.

Citizens of Finland and other EU/EEA countries are not required to provide evidence of their knowledge of Finnish or Swedish. However, health care professionals must possess the language skills required for the performance of their duties.

Information on language certificates and language examinations is available on the National Board of Education website.

National Board of Education
www.oph.fi

3. Examination

Examinations to ascertain the applicants’ competence in dentistry are organised by the University of Helsinki Institute of Dentistry.

University of Helsinki Institute of Dentistry
Mannerheimintie 172
Helsinki

tel: +358 (0)9 1912 7211, +358 (0)9 1912 5131, +358 (0)9 1912 7331

For further information, please contact:
kimmo.suomalainen@helsinki.fi and erja.riikonen@helsinki.fi

The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the candidate possesses the required skills and knowledge to work in a clinical setting in Finland.
In addition, the candidate’s knowledge of relevant Finnish legislation will also be tested.

Licensing

1. Right to practise the profession of a dentist as a licensed professional in health and social care units (pre-licensing training)

Valvira may grant the right to practise as a licensed dentist in health and social care units under the direction and supervision of another dentist licensed for independent dentistry practice. Licensing is subject to confirmation from the university that the applicant has passed the required examinations and that their level of competence is equivalent to that of a dentist trained in Finland. Licences will only be granted for work undertaken in publicly operated units (run by the state, a municipality or a municipal federation). Licensing is not available for private practice.

2. Licence to practise dentistry independently in Finland

Dentists may be licensed for independent practice provided that they have practised as a dentist for a minimum period of nine months in a publicly operated health or social care unit, i.e. once they have completed the so-called pre-licensing training.
Dentists licensed for independent practice may undertake work in both the public and private sectors.

Application form

Indetification code

All dentists practicing dentistry in Finland must have an indetification code, which is given by Valvira at the same time as licensing. The identification code must be written or stamped on prescriptions and other documents.

Specialty training in Finland

The degree of a specialised dental practitioner in Finland is a specialised postgraduate degree. It can be undertaken at the medical faculties of the Universities of Helsinki, Oulu, and Turku.

Please note that in order to qualify for admission to the degree course, the applicant must hold a right to practise dentistry in Finland granted by Valvira.

The admission of dentists who are not Finnish nationals and the recognition of qualifications obtained outside of Finland is by decision of the relevant medical faculty. Training of a specialised dental practitioner lasts for three to four years and consists mainly of clinical placements in the relevant specialty.

Non-Finnish nationals may also choose to take the postgraduate degree in dentistry, the Doctor of Dental Science, at the aforementioned universities.

Work permits

More information about residence permits and work permits is available from the Finnish Immigration Service and the employment offices.

Finnish Immigration Service
www.migri.fi

Employment Office
www.mol.fi