The categories of candidates eligible for admission to the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry are as follows:

1. Graduates of Dentistry Departments of domestic and European Universities.
2. Graduates of Dentistry Departments of foreign universities outside the European Union (EU), provided that the degree and the detailed study program (which includes a detailed breakdown of teaching units, a summary description of the content, and a precise description of clinical practice for each subject) are either in English or translated into Greek with certification by the respective Greek consular authority of the country where the institution is located, in both cases. In this case, the Program Committee of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry will assess the adequacy and suitability of the candidates on a case-by-case basis.

The recognition of foreign degrees for admission to a postgraduate program of study is carried out by the Academic Departments. In cases where the first cycle of studies was conducted abroad, the candidate is not required to provide an equivalency certificate from the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP/NARIC). Even if they submit an equivalency certificate, recognition is still carried out by the Department.

Academic Departments are responsible for the academic recognition of degrees, not equivalency. The responsibility for equivalency of degrees remains with DOATAP/NARIC.

Applicants who have already applied or are currently enrolled in the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry are exempt from this obligation, subject to the submission of an individual recognition act by DOATAP/NARIC. Their application or continuation of studies is assessed based on the criteria of the new law.

Verification method for the general type of first-cycle degree:

The authenticity is verified:

With the Hague Apostille.

By submitting the degree and simultaneously notifying the university abroad by the interested party. The notification is accompanied by an official email from the foreign university, allowing the Secretariat of the respective Academic Department to verify the authenticity.

In cases where the specialization conferred by the degree is required, verification is carried out based on its inclusion in the diploma and the detailed transcript or the Diploma Supplement.

If the grade is of interest, the equivalence procedure communicated by DOATAP/NARIC is used.

 Academic recognition applies only to the specific procedure, is confirmed by the School Assembly, and is not provided to the interested party. If the candidate requires a relevant certificate, they must contact DOATAP/NARIC for equivalency.

The number of admitted students per two-year period is set at a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of six (6) postgraduate students for the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry. The Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry cannot operate with fewer than four (4) postgraduate students.

The Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry, following the decision of the School’s Assembly, announces positions through an open procedure. Specifically, the invitation includes the admission requirements, the number of available positions, candidate categories, admission process, selection criteria, etc., as well as the application deadlines and the required documentation.

In cases where the admission process includes a written examination, the Selection Committee determines the procedure, the number, the content of the exam subjects, the examination dates, as well as the grading method.

The announcement for the admission of postgraduate students is published on the department’s website. Applications, accompanied by the necessary documentation, should be submitted to the School’s Secretariat, either in printed or electronic form.

In the invitation, the entry requirements, categories of graduates, the number of admitted students, the admission procedure, selection criteria, application deadlines, and the required documents are specified. The Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry is planned to employ approximately three (3) teaching staff members, faculty members, and possibly other specialized paediatric dentists who will be hired to meet the program’s needs. This corresponds to an approximate ratio of 1 instructor per 2 students, considering the current capacity of the program to educate a total of 6 postgraduate students.

Candidates must submit their applications along with the corresponding assessment fee for their application folder, as determined by the Assembly. Applications, along with the necessary documentation, should be submitted to the Secretariat of the School of Dentistry in both printed and electronic formats.

Applications must be accompanied by the following mandatory documents:

• Dental Degree (for foreign candidates, recognition of equivalence by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition and Information Center (DOATAP/NARIC) for their academic qualifications or submission of the documents described in Article 4, Paragraph 2 of this Regulation is required).
• Detailed academic transcript.
• Detailed curriculum vitae (Annex I).
• Proof of clinical dental experience in general dentistry practice, lasting at least one year after obtaining the dental degree. Clinical experience must be supported by either (a) a license to operate a dental clinic and service records or (b) a certificate of service in a dentist position in the armed forces or another service, or in a private dental practice.
• Documentary evidence of any professional (clinical), educational, research, or other scientific activities described in the curriculum vitae.
• Evidence of excellent knowledge of the English language at level C2 according to the certificates specified in the announcements of the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP), which must be obtained before submitting the application.
• Evidence of possible very good knowledge of the French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language.
• For candidates who are graduates of universities outside the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), three recommendation letters are required, one from the Rector or President of the School and two from professors of the Dental School from which they graduated, with at least one being related to the subject of Paediatric Dentistry.

The selection process for candidates is determined by the School’s Assembly and is carried out by a competent Three-Member Selection Committee composed of faculty members who are involved in postgraduate studies.

The Committee compiles a complete list of all candidates and, after conducting the necessary checks, rejects those who do not meet the minimum criteria set by the Department. It invites for an interview, where applicable, the eligible candidates who have met the prerequisites.

A candidacy cannot be considered successful unless it achieves a score of at least 50% of the maximum possible success rate.

In case of a tie, the candidate with the highest undergraduate degree grade is selected. The final list of successful candidates and any alternates, once approved by the General Assembly of the School, is posted on the notice board of the Department’s Secretariat and on the School of Dentistry’s website.

The minimum duration for the award of the Master of Science in Paediatric Dentistry (MSc) degree is set at 6 semesters. The maximum allowable completion time for the program is set at 12 semesters and is determined by a decision of the School Assembly.

The completion of postgraduate education depends on both the accumulation of the required number of credit units (ECTS) according to the curriculum and the preparation and approval of the Master Thesis (MT).

The credit units (ECTS) for each course of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry are determined by MD 210817/Z1 (Official Gazette 3602/B/2014) and are described in Article 6 of this Regulation. A complete academic year of study is equivalent to 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), and a full semester is equivalent to 30 ECTS (1 ECTS = 26 hours) [Harmonization of Greek Legislation, Ministerial Decision Φ5/89656/Β3 (Official Gazette 1466/B/2007), Articles 1-3, in accordance with the European system]. Each course is assigned the number of required ECTS (>= 2) that expresses the workload required from the student to complete the course, laboratory work, tutorials, clinical and practical training, etc. 

To obtain the M.Sc. degree, postgraduate students must accumulate at least 180 ECTS, as follows:

• 10 ECTS from attending general courses,
• 140 ECTS from attending specialized courses and clinical practice (up to 10 ECTS can be selected from courses of other postgraduate programs),
• 30 ECTS from research activities, writing the Master’s Thesis, and preparing and submitting it for publication in a scientific journal.

The M.Sc. (Master of Science) degree is accompanied by a Diploma Supplement, according to Article 15 of Law 3374/2005 and Ministerial Decision Φ5/89656/Β3/13-8-07 (Official Gazette 1466/B).

The language of instruction for the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry is English, and, where required in clinical practice, Greek.

The course program of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry includes the following:

General Courses: The attendance of these courses, which relate to basic sciences, is mandatory for all postgraduate students of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry. They are taught in the 1st and 2nd semesters, and postgraduate students must complete at least 10 ECTS. If, for any reason, it is not possible to teach them during the first two semesters of study, then their teaching may be carried out in any of the remaining 6 semesters of study by decision of the Director of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry.

Specialized Courses: Attendance of Specialized Courses is mandatory for postgraduate students in Paediatric Dentistry. Postgraduate students must complete a minimum of 140 ECTS (ECTS).

Laboratory and Clinical Practice Courses: Postgraduate students are required to attend all courses (clinical seminars, literature reviews, clinics, paraclinical, and preclinical exercises) included in the Detailed Program of each semester. The ECTS corresponding to the Laboratory and Clinical Practice courses are included in the Specialized Courses. The completion of clinical and laboratory practice is carried out as provided in MD No. 210817/Z1 (Official Gazette 3602/B/2014) and this Internal Regulation of the Postgraduate Program.

Additionally, to obtain the Master of Science in Paediatric Dentistry degree (M.Sc.), the completion of the Master’s Thesis (MT) and its submission for publication in a scientific journal is required, which accounts for an additional 30 ECTS.

Tuition fees are determined as follows:

(A) For Greek citizens or citizens of EU countries, the amount is 3500 euros per semester of study.

(B) For citizens of countries outside the EU, the amount is 7000 euros per semester of study.

Exemption from tuition fees: Postgraduate students are exempt from tuition fees in accordance with Article 86 of Law 4957/2022. It is emphasized that meeting the excellence requirements during the first cycle of studies is required for those applying for exemption in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 86. Exempted students should not exceed a thirty percent (30%) proportion of the total number of students admitted to the Postgraduate Program. The application for exemption from tuition fees is submitted by the interested party to the Department within five (5) days after the completion of the student selection process in the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry. Under no circumstances does financial hardship constitute a reason for non-selection in the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry. The possibility of exemption from tuition fees is provided exclusively for enrollment in one (1) Postgraduate Program organized by Greek Higher Education Institutions. The necessary procedures for the successful completion for the granting of the right to free education are specified in the Postgraduate Program’s Regulation.

Goals

The objectives of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry are to specialize in the methods and applications of Paediatric Dentistry science and to train dental graduates in the specialized knowledge and corresponding research, so that they can contribute to the development and promotion of scientific thinking in Paediatric Dentistry, provide high-level paediatric dental care, and educate the population on oral health issues to meet the real needs of science and society. At the same time, the aim of the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry is to meet the need for high-level postgraduate studies in the field of Paediatric Dentistry, offering theoretical, practical/clinical, and research-based education. As an English-language program, it also aims to compete with similar foreign programs and contribute to the international recognition of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki by graduating foreign specialist paediatric dentists who may provide services in their home countries.

Acquired Qualifications

The qualifications obtained after successfully completing the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry are as follows:

• Training of dentists to become specialists with comprehensive knowledge in the field of Paediatric Dentistry. • Training of dentists in the ability to seek additional knowledge and education throughout their careers. • Training of dentists in the teaching of Paediatric Dentistry at both theoretical and clinical levels. • Training of scientists capable of conducting scientific and research work. • Training of scientists capable of collaborating and communicating with teams of other specialists for the comprehensive treatment of specialized patients.

The quality of education offered by the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry is very high, as evidenced by the success of our graduates and their scientific presence as representatives of the Laboratory of Paediatric Dentistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with over 80 presentations at international scientific conferences and over 50 publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals from 2008 to the present. Furthermore, two (2) graduates have completed their doctoral theses, and two (2) more graduates are currently in the process of completing their doctoral theses.

It should be noted that the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry has successfully passed the rigorous external evaluation by the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD). The EAPD evaluates and accredits similar postgraduate programs in Pediatric Dentistry at dental schools across Europe. Currently, the Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Dentistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, along with 9 other European programs, holds this accreditation. External re-evaluation will occur every 6 years by the EAPD.