How to Work and Immigrate to France as a Dentist?

It will be an uphill struggle for anyone from outside the EU with qualifications gained outside the EU. To immigrate to France as a dentist, at the very least, you must receive ministerial authorization and demonstrate a sufficient level of French. In addition, teachers at French dental schools must also hold a French dental license.

Where Can Dentists Work in France?

You have several job options to immigrate to France as a dentist. Dentists can work in: 

• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Government organizations
• Private practices

Dentists in public health systems might make more money than in private clinics. Large cities provide the finest prospects for dentists to find work.

Dental Care in France

The population of dentists in France has been continuously growing in recent years. In principle, the state social security should pay 70% of most dental treatments, with supplemental private health insurance covering the other 30%. However, dentists charge far more than the state-recommended prices for most treatments, causing many people to forego dental care because they cannot pay the out-of-pocket charges.

Despite public subsidies, dentistry in France reflects societal inequality. For economic reasons, the lower-income section of the population is more prone to forego dental care. However, the rate of treatment discontinuation has been decreasing.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist: Professional Qualifications

To immigrate to France as a dentist, you must fulfill the following requirements, according to Section L. 4111-1 of the Public Health Code:

• Have a French state diploma as a dental doctor, a diploma, certification, or other title listed in Public Health Code Article L. 4141-3.
  • a DES or diploma in specialized studies in oral medicine;
• Have French nationality. Andorran citizenship, a citizen of the EU, or a party to the agreement on the EEA or Morocco are derived from the Health Code public or international obligations.
• Be on the board of the College of Dental Surgeons. There are some exceptions.
• Be on the College of Dental Surgeons’ list of competent specialists.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist: Training

Dentistry studies run six years and are divided into three cycles:

• The first cycle, which lasts six semesters, results in the awarding of two diplomas:
  • The PACES or First Common Year for Health Studies, at the end of the first two semesters,
  • The license-level general training diploma or DFGO
• The second two-year cycle results in the award of a diploma in advanced training in dentistry at the master’s level.
• The third cycle, which lasts three years, permits the prospective professional doctor to get a diploma of specialized studies (DES) in dentistry.

General Education Diploma

The undergraduate course (first cycle) is divided into six semesters and includes the following goals:

• Learning the basic knowledge necessary for future mastery of the information required for the practice of dental surgery. This basic knowledge includes biology, certain areas of sciences, and various humanities and social science subjects.
• Learning about medical semiology, pharmacology, and odontology;
• Learning communication skills, which are required for professional activity.

It also teaches the student how to communicate, make a diagnosis, build a therapy plan, grasp a coordinated care strategy, and perform first aid. The program comprises theoretical, methodological, applied, and practical teachings and four-week full-time care beginning the course.

Diploma of Advanced Training

The second cycle is divided into four semesters and includes the following goals:

• Acquiring scientific, medical, and ontological knowledge enhances the knowledge of the first cycle. It is required for the development of skills for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the mouth, teeth, jaws, etc.;
• Internships and practical and clinical training for gaining practical knowledge and clinical skills
• Scientific method training; 
• Scientific method training; 
• Gaining experience working in a professional team;
• Learning of communication skills required for professional work;
• Gaining professional development awareness, including the review of professional activities and the continuous improvement of knowledge.

Aside from academic and practical learning, the program involves hospital internships. The second cycle is confirmed by passing the knowledge exam of the courses taught during the program and receiving a clinical and therapeutic summary certificate.

State diploma

The third cycle is marked by awarding of the State diploma of a dentist. It consists of:

• A brief training cycle of two semesters;
• A six to eight-semester training period for students who pass the odontology internship competition;
• The presentation of a thesis.

Diploma of specialized studies (DES)

Participation in the third cycle is done by a test open to students who have validated the second cycle. This qualification enables the prospective expert in oral medicine to have the knowledge required to execute his job.

This training is divided into two sections, each lasting six semesters:

• Theoretical education, which includes:
  • Theoretical medical training to complete the candidate’s medical knowledge,
  • Theoretical education in oral medicine;
• Practical experience leading to internships in recognized areas. These internships are designed to prepare candidates to care for patients with specific diseases in a multidisciplinary setting.
• To be eligible for the DES in oral medicine, the applicant must:
• Validate all of the lessons taught throughout the training.
• Earn the highest possible score on all written and spoken tests;
• Defend your dissertation successfully.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist for Temporary Practice

A dentist who is a citizen of an EU or EEA state and who is established and lawfully practices in one of these states may temporarily and occasionally exercise (LPS) the same activity in France. In this case, they don’t need to be registered with the table of the order of dental surgeons.

The dentist must make a prior declaration and a declaration demonstrating that they possess the necessary language skills to practice in France. 

Registration on the Order of Dental Surgeons’ board is not necessary for a professional in a position of freedom to deliver services (LPS). As a result, they are not compelled to make ordinary contributions. Instead, the dental surgeon is merely listed on a list kept by the Order’s National Council.

The preceding declaration must be supported with a declaration on language proficiency. In this scenario, language proficiency must be appropriate to the activity to be performed only after the professional qualification has been recognized.

When training credentials are not automatically recognized, the dentist’s professional qualifications are examined before the initial supply of services. For example, suppose there are significant differences between the dentist’s qualifications and the training necessary in France. In that case, the dentist is subject to an aptitude test because they must follow all French professional norms, including all ethical requirements.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist: Qualification recognition procedures for Temporary Practice (LPS)

If an EU or EEA national makes the necessary declarations before practicing in France, he may temporarily practice as a dental surgeon temporarily or occasionally. Every year, the preceding declaration must be reaffirmed.

The declaration must be submitted to the National Council of the Order of Dental Surgeons prior to the initial supply of services. Any alteration in the applicant’s circumstances must be reported in the same manner.

The declaration can be mailed or made online at the Order of Dental Surgeons’ official website.

When the Order’s National Council receives the declaration and the relevant accompanying documentation, it provides a receipt to the service provider indicating its registration number and the discipline implemented.

The National Council of the Order notifies the applicant within one month of receipt of the declaration:

• Whether or if the dentist can start providing services;
• When the verification of professional qualifications reveals a significant gap between the training necessary in France, the dentist must submit to an aptitude test to demonstrate that they have acquired the missing knowledge and abilities. If they pass this test, they will be notified within one month that they may begin providing services.
• When the investigation of the dentist’s file reveals a problem that necessitates further information, the reasons will be explained to the dentist. Then, they have one month to gather the desired supplementary information. In this scenario, the National Council tells the dentist, after re-examining the file, by the end of the second month following receipt of this information:
  • Whether or not the dentist can start providing services,
  • When verifying the dentist’s qualifications reveals a significant gap between the training necessary in France, they must show that they have acquired the missing knowledge and abilities, particularly by taking an aptitude test.

In the latter situation, if the dentist passes this examination, they are notified within a month that they can begin providing services. Otherwise, they will be notified that they cannot begin providing services. Service provision may start in the absence of a response from the Order’s National Council within these timeframes.

The previous declaration must be supported by a statement regarding the language skills required for service delivery and the accompanying supporting documents:

• the previous declaration form for service supply;
• a duplicate of a valid identification document or a document certifying the applicant’s nationality;
• a photocopy of the training certificate(s), supplemented if necessary by a certified translator’s translation;
• A certification from the relevant authority of the EU or EEA state of establishment stating that the individual concerned is lawfully established in that state and that he is not barred from practicing, supplemented, if relevant, by a certified French translation.

Controlling language proficiency must be proportionate to the activity performed and performed only after the professional qualification has been recognized. The cost is free.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist for Permanent Practice 

Automatic Diploma Recognition System

Article L. 4141-3 of the Public Health Code establishes a mechanism for the automatic recognition in France of certain degrees or titles received in an EU or EEA state, supported by certifications.

The Order of Dental Surgeons’ National Council is responsible for verifying the regularity of degrees, titles, certificates, and attestations, granting automatic recognition and then ruling on the application for registration on the Order’s roll.

Individual Authorization to Practice

If an EU or EEA national does not fulfill the requirements for automatic recognition of titles or degrees, they become subject to a practice authorization system.

Dentists who do not qualify for automatic recognition but have a training certificate enabling them to legally practice the profession of dental surgeon may be individually authorized to practice in France by the Minister responsible for health, based on the recommendation of a commission composed primarily of professionals.

If an evaluation of the professional credentials proved by training certificates and professional experience finds significant differences with the requirements necessary for entrance to and execution of the profession in France, the individual involved must submit to compensation.

Depending on the degree of qualification necessary in France and the individual in question, the relevant authorities can:

• Provide the candidate with the option of taking an adaptation course or taking an aptitude test;
• Impose a term of adaptation and/or an aptitude exam.

Immigrate to France as a Dentist: Qualification Recognition Procedures for Permanent Practice (LE)

If the national diploma does not qualify for automatic recognition, the dentist must apply for a license.

The request is made in two copies by registered mail with confirmation of receipt to the unit that has the responsibility for the exercise authorization commissions.

All of the following supporting paperwork must be included in the application file:

• The form for requesting permission to practice the profession;
• The form for requesting permission to practice the profession;
• A copy of a valid identification document;
• A copy of the training certificate permitting professional activity in the state where it was received and, if appropriate, a copy of the specialty training certificate;
• A copy of any further degrees, if appropriate;
• Any necessary documentation justifying ongoing training, experience, and abilities gained during professional practice in an EU or EEA state or in a third state (function certificates, activity, and operational reports, etc.);
• In the case of functions performed in a country other than France, a statement from the competent authorities of that country, dated within the last year, attest to the lack of sanctions against the applicant.

A qualified translator must write or translate documents supporting the application into French. Other supporting papers may be requested based on the applicant’s condition. It is best to visit the official CNG website for further information. 

Within one month, the CNG acknowledges receipt of the request. The silence kept for a specified amount of time following receipt of the whole file is sufficient reason to reject the application. This deadline has been extended until:

• Four months for applications from EU or EEA nationals with a diploma from one of these countries;
• Six months for applications from third-country citizens with a diploma from an EU or EEA member state;
• Other requests will be considered for one year.

In the event of substantial difficulties in assessing the candidate’s professional experience, this period may be extended by two months by the decision of the ministerial authority, which must be communicated no later than one month before its expiry.

When there are significant differences between the citizen’s training and professional experience and those necessary to practice in France, the CNG might determine either:

• To provide the applicant the option of taking an adaptation course or taking an aptitude test;
• To impose an adjustment process or an aptitude exam.

Written and oral tests and practical exercises are used to confirm an applicant’s aptitude to practice as a dental surgeon. Applicants’ training titles or professional experience do not cover all the issues covered in the statement.

The adaption course aims to provide individuals with the abilities required to practice the profession of a dental surgeon. It is carried out under the supervision of a dentist and may be complemented by optional supplementary theoretical training. The internship cannot last more than three years. However, it is possible to work part-time.

Apply for Registration on the Board of the Order of Dental Surgeons

Registration on the Order’s list is required to lawfully practice as a dental surgeon in France.

Registration is not required for:

• EU or EEA citizens who are established and lawfully practice as a dental surgeon in a Member State or party and who undertake acts of their job in France on a temporary and infrequent basis;
• Dental surgeons who are active leaders in the army health service
• Dental doctors who have State public servants or officials of municipal governments are not required to conduct dental surgery in their duties.

The registration application is sent to the head of the council of the Order of dental surgeons of the department in which the applicant seeks to establish his professional residency. The request can be sent directly to the Order’s departmental council or mailed to it with a request for acknowledgement of receipt.

The Order’s Departmental Council must decide on the registration application within three months of receiving the entire application file. In the lack of a response within this time frame, the registration application is presumed to have been refused.

When an inquiry is to be conducted outside of metropolitan France, this period is prolonged to six months for citizens of third countries. The individual involved is then alerted. When an expert report is commissioned, the county council may also prolong it for a period of up to two months.

The dentist must deliver a comprehensive registration application file that includes:

• Two copies of the standard questionnaire, filled, dated, and signed, with a picture ID accessible in the Order’s departmental councils;
• A copy of a valid ID;
• If appropriate, a copy of a family member of an EU citizen’s valid residence card, a valid long-term resident card-CE, or a resident card mentioning legitimate refugee status;
• A copy of a legal nationality certificate, if appropriate;
• A copy of the training titles is attached, translated by a professional:
  • When the applicant is a citizen of the EU or EEA, the certificate(s) given,
  • When the applicant possesses a copy of an individual authorization to exercise,
  • When the applicant provides a diploma issued in a foreign country whose validity is accepted on French soil, a copy of the titles to which this recognition may be subject;
• A sworn declaration from the applicant stating that no actions are proceeding against them that might result in a conviction or penalty that would have an impact on their registration on the roll;
• A copy of the criminal record or a similar document dated within the last three months. A certificate may substitute this document from the relevant authority of the State stating that the good repute standards are satisfied for nationals of the EU or EEA;
• All the components that are likely to prove that the applicant possesses the language competence required for the practice of the profession;
• A resume.
• A certificate of deregistration that states that the applicant was previously registered. If that is not possible, a sworn statement from the dentist certifying that they were never registered. If that is not possible, a certificate of registration in an EU or EEA state;

Application for Inclusion on the List of Qualified Specialists

Dentists specializing in oral medicine can seek inclusion on the National Order of Dental Surgeons’ list of competent experts.

The dentist must submit their registration application to the departmental council in one of two ways:

• Through the Order of registration for the professional listed on the order’s roll;
• Through the Order of Paris for French professionals living overseas.

The professional must consider the following:

• The application form for oral medicine qualification, filled and signed in duplicate;
• The supporting documents refer to the professional’s credentials and training titles.

The Order’s departmental council sends the request to the first-instance national qualifying commission, which gives a reasoned decision. Following receipt of this view, the order’s departmental council makes a qualification judgment, either favorable or unfavorable. As a result, the specialist can only be listed on one roster of specialists.