Dental education between 4+4 years and 6 years in Korea

Objectives: In recent years, international relationships in dentisrty have grown stronger through journals, books, academies, seminars, researcher exchanges and so forth, Korea, India, China and Japan are neighbours in east asia. There were some reports to compare the dental education systems in each countries. However, no comparison of the dental education systems between 4 + 4 years and 6 years in Korea has been published. Therefore, the authors have provided the present comparison to promote mutual understanding and to familiarise dentists around the world with dental education between 4 + 4 years and 6 years in Korea.

Methods: To compare the dental education systems, curriculum hours for each subject between 4 + 4 years and 6 years in Korea were compared.

Results: The total hours of lecture for Korea(4+4) is less than those of Korea (6 years) which is 1,944 hours, and the practicing hours are more than those of Korea (6 years) which is 3,264 hours. As a result of the lecture hours and practicing hours of Korea(4+4) compared with the dental education system of 6 years, we determine that 4 + 4 years in Korea is more focused on practicing hours than lecture hours.

Conclusion: Hence, we conclude that dental education system of 4 + 4 years in Korea is more realistic and practical than that of 6 years in Korea.