The best universities for dentistry in 2026 are King’s College London, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the University of Hong Kong. According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the UK, USA, and Australia lead globally in dentistry education. Dentists are among the highest-paid healthcare professionals, with average earnings of $160,000–$200,000/year in the USA and £65,000–£110,000 in the UK.
What Are the Top Universities for Dentistry in 2026?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education subject rankings, the following institutions represent the world’s leading programs. Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international faculty and student diversity.
| # | University | Location | Global Ranking | Degrees Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King’s College London | London, UK | #1 QS Dentistry | BDS, MClinDent, PhD |
| 2 | Harvard School of Dental Medicine | Boston, USA | #2 QS Dentistry | DMD, MMSc, PhD |
| 3 | University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | #3 QS Dentistry | BDS, MDS, PhD |
| 4 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, USA | #4 QS Dentistry | DDS, MS, PhD |
| 5 | University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, USA | #5 QS Dentistry | DDS, MS, PhD |
| 6 | University of Sydney | Sydney, Australia | #6 QS Dentistry | BDS, MDSc, PhD |
| 7 | University of Glasgow | Glasgow, UK | #7 QS Dentistry | BDS, MClinDent, PhD |
| 8 | UCL Eastman Dental Institute | London, UK | #8 QS Dentistry | BDS, MClinDent, PhD |
| 9 | University of Manchester | Manchester, UK | #9 QS Dentistry | BDS, MClinDent, PhD |
| 10 | University of Queensland | Brisbane, Australia | #10 QS Dentistry | BDSc, MDSc, PhD |
| 11 | University of Gothenburg | Gothenburg, Sweden | #11 QS Dentistry | Tandläkare, MSc, PhD |
| 12 | University of Oslo | Oslo, Norway | #12 QS Dentistry | Candidatus Odontologiae, PhD |
| 13 | Radboud University | Nijmegen, Netherlands | #13 QS Dentistry | BDS, MSc, PhD |
| 14 | University of Leuven (KU Leuven) | Leuven, Belgium | #14 QS Dentistry | BSc/MSc, PhD |
| 15 | University of Helsinki | Helsinki, Finland | #15 QS Dentistry | LL, PhD |
| 16 | New York University College of Dentistry | New York, USA | #16 QS Dentistry | DDS, MS |
| 17 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne, Australia | #17 QS Dentistry | MDent, PhD |
| 18 | University of Copenhagen | Copenhagen, Denmark | #18 QS Dentistry | BSc/MSc, PhD |
| 19 | University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry | Toronto, Canada | #19 QS Dentistry | DDS, MSc, PhD |
| 20 | Peking University School of Stomatology | Beijing, China | #20 QS Dentistry | BDS, MDS, PhD |
Source: Compiled from QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2026, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Last updated: February 2026.
What Are the Best Countries to Study Dentistry?
The choice of country significantly impacts your education quality, career opportunities, and post-graduation prospects. Here are the top destinations based on program quality, affordability, and career outcomes:
| Country | Why Study Here |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | BDS 5-year program; GDC-registered; NHS clinical placements; King’s, Glasgow, Manchester |
| 🇺🇸 USA | DMD/DDS 4-year postgraduate; NBDE licensing; highest earning potential globally; Harvard, Michigan |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | BDSc 5-year; AHPRA registration; strong clinical training; University of Sydney, Queensland |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Free tuition at public universities; high hygiene standards; Gothenburg, Malmö |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Free tuition; Oslo and Bergen; excellent public dental health system; strong research |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | DDS 4-year program; NDEB licensing; excellent clinical training; University of Toronto |
What Are the Career Prospects for Dentistry Graduates?
Dentistry graduates have excellent career prospects as one of the most consistently high-demand healthcare professions. Options include general dental practice, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and academic/research dentistry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists earn a median salary of $159,530/year in the USA; specialists (orthodontists, oral surgeons) earn $230,000–$300,000+. In the UK, NHS dentists earn £35,000–£110,000 depending on appointment type and private practice mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a dentist?
Dentistry takes 4-6 years depending on the country: 5 years BDS in the UK and Australia (undergraduate entry), 4 years DDS/DMD in the USA and Canada (postgraduate entry after a bachelor’s degree). Specialization requires an additional 2-4 years of postgraduate training.
What is the difference between a BDS and a DDS/DMD?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) is the standard dental qualification in the UK, Australia, and most Commonwealth countries. DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are equivalent qualifications in the USA and Canada, taken as postgraduate degrees after completing a bachelor’s. All lead to general dental practice.
Is dentistry harder to get into than medicine?
Dentistry and medicine are similarly competitive at top institutions. Dentistry requires strong sciences (biology, chemistry) and demonstrable manual dexterity. Medicine is generally more competitive numerically but dentistry at top schools like King’s London, Harvard, and Michigan is extremely selective.
Can I practice dentistry abroad with a foreign dental degree?
Most countries require foreign dentists to pass licensing exams. In the USA, foreign-trained dentists can apply to Advanced Standing programs to obtain a DDS/DMD. In the UK, EEA/non-EEA dentists must register with the GDC and may need additional exams. EU countries have mutual recognition within the bloc.
What are the dental specialties with highest earning potential?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and prosthodontics command the highest salaries. In the USA, oral surgeons earn a median of $311,000/year and orthodontists $267,000/year. Private cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry practices also offer premium income potential.
Are dentists in demand globally?
Yes. The WHO reports significant global shortages of oral health professionals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In developed countries, dentists are consistently in demand with very low unemployment rates. Dental anxiety awareness, cosmetic dentistry growth, and aging populations are driving sustained demand.
Data and rankings on this page are based on the latest available figures from QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and subject-specific accreditation bodies. Last verified: February 2026.
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