Preparations in full swing: Brandenburg Model Curriculum Dental Medicine

Application period starts.

Neuruppin, 17 Juli 2023

The application period for the new course in dental medicine without numerus clausus restrictions starts on Saturday. Online applications via the MHB homepage are invited for one of the 48 openings. The university dispenses with numerus clausus restrictions, being more concerned with personality, motivation and work experience than with school-leaving grades. MHB chancellor Dr. Gerrit Fleige is pleased to announce huge advances in terms of curricular content, building activities and personnel towards the goal of establishing a university course of dental medicine in Brandenburg: “The application period is from 15 July to 31 October. We receive daily inquiries from prospective students and their parents, and we are confident that our new course meets a demand and has obviously struck a nerve.”    

Accreditation of the course plus additions from the responsible Brandenburg ministries has been applied for. Fleige expects that accreditation procedures will be completed within the coming months, and in any case in good time for the start of instruction on 1 April 2024.

Gaps in dental services

The situation in Brandenburg is much the same as elsewhere in Germany: the majority of dentists are going to reach retirement age within the next ten years. The number of dentists specifically in rural areas but also in medium-sized centers is continuously declining. The demand for dentists is high, and many regions already register gaps in dental services. Patients have to accept notably longer waiting periods and longer distances. Demographic developments among dentists in Brandenburg indicate an urgent need for successors to ensure dental care particularly in rural areas.  

The MHB is the first university in Brandenburg to offer a course in dental medicine, scheduled to start in Brandenburg/Havel with the summer term 2024. The model curriculum has a modular structure and a strong orientation towards clinical practice and patients, the same as all other courses taught at the MHB.

Special features

The Brandenburg model curriculum in dental medicine with its unique features embodies the MHB concept and the experience gained so far: it offers science-based and practice-oriented education to prospective dentists in preparation for their professional activities. The course relies on transdisciplinary instruction and the targeted use of tried-and-tested teaching formats like POL and TRIK, lays the foundations for life-long learning and promotes communicative skills for interaction with patients and in professional environments.      

MHB president Prof. Hans-Uwe Simon notes with pride that external experts confirm the excellence of the course concept, a result of joint efforts by MHB professors, students and staff: “Our course in dental medicine fosters scientific capacity building with the integrated element of a scientific internship, which is a distinguishing feature among programs in dental medicine.”

Modern dental clinic in landmarked ambience

One of Germany’s most modern dental university clinics is scheduled to be created in Brandenburg/Havel by 2026. According to Dr. Gerrit Fleige, planning is well advanced for a unique design in an ambience of landmarked buildings on the premises of a former power plant along the Havel river; the idea is to combine a wide range of functions in teaching, patient care, research and administration with short distances.   

Pending completion of the dental clinic, the first stage of instruction will take place in Brandenburg, near the MHB campus; the facilities located at Nikolaiplatz will be fully equipped with simulation units and meet all other requirements of instruction for the first semesters.  

Prof. Simon confirms the MHB claim and commitment to offer best possible conditions for excellent training and an optimum start into the professional future to all its students enrolled in programs of medicine, dental medicine, psychotherapy and health services research.

For more detailed  information on the new course see here.