How Are Korean Dentists Trained and Licensed?

Korean dentists complete a six-year dental college program or a four-year graduate dental program at one of Korea's 11 dental schools, then pass a national licensing exam with written and clinical skills parts. Specialists, such as prosthodontists, train further. Lucid Dental Clinic's Dr. Park Hyun-min in Gangnam, Seoul is a certified prosthodontist.

Key facts

  • Korea has 11 dental colleges and schools (Medical Korea).
  • Korean dental education has run as a traditional six-year program and a four-year graduate-entry program.
  • The Korean Dental Licensing Examination is administered by the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI).
  • A clinical skills test was first administered as part of dental licensing in 2021, alongside the written exam.
  • Korea introduced a dental specialist training system in 2004, covering 11 specialty areas including prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics and oral surgery.
  • Licensed dentists in Korea numbered 33,707 in 2022, and continuing education is required to maintain a license (Medical Korea).

Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Lucid Dental Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul. Last reviewed September 27, 2026.

How long is dental school in Korea?

Most Korean dentists study for six years at a college of dentistry, typically two years of pre-dental study followed by four years of dental school. Some schools have also offered a four-year graduate program for students who already hold a bachelor's degree.

A published study compared these traditional six-year and newer four-year curricula in South Korea, and both routes lead to the same national licensing exam. According to the government's Medical Korea portal, the country has 11 dental colleges and schools offering structured curricula with clinical practice. Students treat patients under supervision in university dental hospitals before they graduate.

What exam do Korean dentists have to pass?

Every new dentist must pass the Korean Dental Licensing Examination (KDLE), administered by the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI), before the Ministry of Health and Welfare issues a license.

For decades, the exam was written only. Research published in the Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions describes how the Korean Dental Association decided in 2009 to add a clinical skills test, which was first administered in 2021. It combines structured clinical stations with procedures performed on dental mannequin simulators, so candidates must show hands-on ability, not just knowledge.

What does the path to practice look like?

Stage Typical length What happens
Dental education 6 years (or 4-year graduate program) Basic sciences, dental sciences, supervised clinical training
National licensing exam Once, after graduation Written exam plus clinical skills test, run by KHPLEI
General dental license Ongoing Issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare; continuing education required to keep it
Specialist training (optional) Usually several years of hospital residency Training in one specialty, then a specialist exam
Continuing education Throughout career Courses and programs in Korea and abroad

What is a dental specialist in Korea?

A specialist is a licensed dentist who has completed additional structured training in one field and passed a specialist exam. Korea introduced its dental specialist training system in 2004.

Medical Korea lists 11 specialty areas, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics and periodontics. A prosthodontist focuses on restoring and replacing teeth, including crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures and implant-supported teeth. That makes the specialty directly relevant to cosmetic and restorative work, which is what most international patients travel for.

How are Korean dentists kept up to date?

Korean dentists must complete continuing education to maintain their license, according to Medical Korea. Many also take extra courses in implants, orthodontics or aesthetics, in Korea or overseas.

Korea's dental industry adds to this. The country is home to major implant makers, including Osstem and MegaGen, and digital tools such as intraoral scanners and 3D printing are widely used. Medical Korea reports that Korea had 33,707 licensed dentists in 2022, and that clinicians from other regions come to Korea for advanced dental training.

Why do Korean dentists see so many implant and gum cases?

Because the conditions that lead to tooth loss are common. Medical Korea notes that periodontal (gum) disease is the second most common diagnosis in Korea's healthcare system, which gives dentists broad everyday experience with gum treatment, extractions and implant cases.

Korea's national health insurance also covers implants for older adults within set limits, which has made implant treatment a routine part of general practice. For you as a visitor, this means implant components, lab work and digital planning tools are widely available in Seoul. It does not replace the need to check the individual dentist, but it helps explain why many travelers look at Korea for restorative work.

What does specialist training mean for your treatment?

In practice, it shapes how a dentist plans. A prosthodontist usually starts from the final result, meaning how the teeth should look, bite and last, and then works backward to decide where implants go or how much tooth to prepare for a veneer. Ask any dentist you consult to explain the plan in those terms.

What training does Dr. Park Hyun-min have?

Dr. Park Hyun-min, the chief dentist at Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, earned his DDS at Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry and is a certified prosthodontist. His continuing education includes:

  • Clinical implant program, Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry
  • Advanced implant program, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (continuing education)
  • Endodontics program, University of Pennsylvania (continuing education)
  • Non-prep veneer course (Oral Design Non-Prep Veneer Academy), mini-implant course (Minish) and SIC implant course
  • GC Korea prosthodontics hands-on course and the Korean Academy of TMJ advanced course

This background shapes the clinic's focus on LUCINATE porcelain veneers and dental implants. You can read his full profile on the Dr. Park Hyun-min page or learn about the team on our about page.

How can you check a Korean dentist's qualifications?

Ask directly, and expect clear answers. A reputable clinic will tell you who will treat you and what that dentist's training is.

  1. Get the dentist's full name. Know who will do each step, not just who you meet at consultation.
  2. Ask for the dental school and year of graduation. All practicing dentists must hold a Korean license.
  3. Ask about specialist status."Specialist" should mean completed specialist training and a passed specialist exam in a named field.
  4. Look at relevant experience. For veneers or implants, ask how the dentist plans and restores these cases, and what happens if something needs adjusting.
  5. Confirm who you contact afterward. Good training includes good communication after treatment.

For a broader checklist, read is dental treatment in Korea safe? and our international patients page.

General information only. Individual results vary; a consultation and exam are required before any treatment.

Book a consultation

Want to meet Dr. Park and ask about his approach to your case? Message Lucid Dental Clinic on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or book through wa.link/luciddental. We are directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station, Line 9, in Gangnam.

Frequently asked questions

Are Korean dental degrees recognized abroad?

Recognition depends on each country's own licensing rules, and most countries require foreign-trained dentists to pass local exams before practicing there. This affects where a dentist can work, not the quality of treatment you receive in Korea.

Can a general dentist in Korea place implants?

Yes. A licensed general dentist in Korea may perform implant treatment, and many take extra implant training. Ask who will place the implant and who will restore it with the crown.

What is the difference between a prosthodontist and a cosmetic dentist?

Prosthodontics is a recognized dental specialty focused on restoring and replacing teeth. 'Cosmetic dentist' is a general description rather than a formal specialty in most countries.

Do Korean dentists speak English?

Many Korean dentists read English dental literature, but spoken English varies. Lucid Dental Clinic offers consultations in English, as well as Japanese and Chinese.

Can foreign-trained dentists practice in Korea?

Foreign-trained dentists generally have to meet Korean eligibility rules and pass the Korean national licensing exam before practicing. Rules can change, so check with Korean authorities for current details.

Sources