In order to become a dentist in Poland a five-year long dentistry course needs to be successfully accomplished in one of the Medical Universities. There are 35,000 registered Dentists in Poland. Every year nearly 1000 graduates begin a 12 month long post-graduate work experience (apprenticeship) programme which is a next step to become a Dentist. During these 12 months, the apprentice’s work is supervised by experienced Dentists. The Dentist-apprentice is not allowed to carry out treatments on his own and more responsibility is given to him / her with time. The Dentist-apprentice is also not allowed to issue prescriptions nor to give official treatment plans at any time during his / her work-experience. At the end of the work experience the apprentice needs to successfully pass a mandatory exam (Lekarsko Dentystyczny Egzamin Panstwowy – LDEP) in which case the apprentice becomes a Dentist. The title is awarded by the Minister of Health. The work experience is usually carried out in hospitals and NHS dental clinics
General Dentists can specialise further in a chosen dentistry field (i.e. implantology, radiology etc) but a good or very good mark from LDEP exam is necessary. After completion of the additional, 2-year long, full time course Dentists are required to pass an exam in order to become Dentists specialists. The accrediting body is again the Ministry of Health.