As the university preference period approaches, the opportunities offered by faculties play a decisive role for candidates dreaming of dentistry. Stating that they have turned the recent establishment of their faculty into an advantage, Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, said, "We are preparing students not only for today's dentistry but also for the dentistry of the future with the era's highest-segment devices, artificial intelligence integration, and a strong infrastructure."
Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel, Dean of the Üsküdar University Faculty of Dentistry, explained the advanced education model they offer.
Faculty to graduate its first students in the 2025–2026 academic year
Stating that as one of the newly established Faculties of Dentistry, they will graduate their first students in the 2025–2026 academic year, Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel made the following statements:
“In this context, the planning of our faculty, especially the design of clinics and laboratories, is at the level of state-of-the-art dentistry clinics; the devices and equipment used are top-segment, cutting-edge technology products. Our faculty has a modern and fully equipped, three-room advanced operating theater where operations can be performed under local and general anesthesia, which is superior to many other faculties. This operating theater provides services to various patient groups, especially pediatric patients and individuals with special needs. Advanced support systems established with new technologies, including our highly developed central sterilization system, are actively utilized.
Our basic science courses are taught by the faculty members of our Faculty of Medicine; furthermore, the advanced laboratory facilities of our Faculty of Medicine are also utilized. Our library portfolio is highly developed in terms of both content and physical conditions. Starting from the 2025–2026 academic year, special training programs for the Dentistry Specialization Examination (DUS) will also be initiated for all our classes.”
Strong educational infrastructure in place
Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel explained that the faculty's curriculum includes a strong educational infrastructure with contemporary, theoretical and practical, evidence-based education model courses for all new and advanced technological devices used in modern dentistry (CAD-CAM, laser systems, intraoral scanners, etc.). He added, “Our students are provided with theoretical and practical application opportunities at various stages of their education, especially regarding necessary informatics and technological developments in dentistry and the use of existing devices and programs, immediately before and during the clinical application period.”
Practical training available with modern laboratory and simulation facilities
Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel noted that students receive practical training, especially during the pre-clinical period, using the modern laboratory and simulation facilities of Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine for basic medical sciences. He stated, “In our faculty's modern pre-clinical laboratories, thanks to simulation systems where various dental treatment procedures and scientific studies can be performed, also referred to as ‘phantoms,’ students gain a near-real experience before practicing on actual patients and are offered the opportunity to practice working in correct positions on models. This allows our students to develop their psychomotor and manual skills. Our efforts regarding the installation of virtual reality applications are also ongoing.”
Students become intern dentists in the 5th year
Prof. Dr. Ergün Yücel noted the following:
“Our students begin clinical practice studies as part of patient education in the 4th year, under the supervision and guidance of our faculty members, in the clinics of our Faculty and Oral and Dental Health Center; this includes different durations (1-2 months) in various major disciplines, covering a half-day. In the 5th year, as intern dentists, they actively perform patient treatment services in the form of internships covering all major disciplines.”
Graduation projects prepared in TÜBİTAK Student Projects format
Prof. Dr. Yücel stated that work is intensely ongoing under the leadership of the R&D officer at the faculty, adding:
“Currently, our technological and societal contribution projects continue, especially in collaboration with our Faculty of Engineering. In the education of our students, graduation projects are prepared in the format of TÜBİTAK Student Projects; moreover, our education program emphasizes this topic with courses on resource research, project development, and presentation preparation.”
Prof. Dr. Yücel also added that students are supported with extensive scholarship opportunities.
“In a digitalizing world, the competencies expected from healthcare professionals are also changing. Üsküdar University, leading this change with its student-centered approach, aims to equip future doctors and dentists not only with clinical knowledge but also with perspectives from different disciplines. The new and expanded minor opportunities offered by the university provide a unique competitive advantage to Medical and Dentistry students in their careers.”
Dentistry students can minor in Psychology
Yücel emphasized that thanks to this new opportunity, a medical student can specialize in developing artificial intelligence applications or telemedicine systems in healthcare in the future by minoring in Computer or Software Engineering. He also stated that a dentistry student, by minoring in Psychology, can make a difference in communicating with patients experiencing dental phobia and managing treatment processes.