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The Bundeszahnärztekammer – Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e. V. (BZÄK)

The Bundeszahnärztekammer is the professional representation of all dentists in Germany.

The Bundeszahnärztekammer (German Dental Association) represents the health and professional policy-related interests of the dental profession. Thereby the German Dental Association is committed  to common welfare.  Its principle aim is to strive for a liberal, future-oriented health care system. The German Dental Association stipulates progressive dental health care based on scientific knowledge, positioning the patient within the center.

Organisational structure

The Bundeszahnärztekammer (BZÄK), Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e.V., is the body bringing together the

German federal states' dental chambers

Federal Assembly

The Federal Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Bundeszahnärztekammer. It is composed of delegates designated by the federal states' dental chambers.

Federal Assembly

The Board

The Board of the BZÄK is composed of the BZÄK President, the Presidents of the different federal states' dental chambers and the two Vice Presidents (provided they are not already a member of said board in their capacity as President of a federal states' dental chamber). The Executive Board consists of the President and two Vice-Presidents.

Board

The Bundeszahnärztekammer’s head office is in Berlin. The Europe / International Department is also hosted by the BZÄK as European representatives in Brussels.

Practising in Germany

Foreign Dentists

In principle, you as a foreign dentist are entitled to practise dentistry in Germany.
If you do not intend to work in Germany for more than two years then you can apply for a permit to temporarily practise dentistry. A temporary permit to practise can only be granted upon application, which requires proof of completed dental education and training.

A temporary professional permit is not needed if the dental education and training in question was completed in an EU member state, another signatory state to the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland.

In order to permanently practise as a dentist in Germany you must first apply for and be granted a German license (called 'Approbation'). This can be granted upon application if the following conditions are met:

  1. the dentistry education and training is equivalent to that in Germany
  2. you have not been found guilty of any conduct that would render you unsuitable or unfit to practise dentistry
  3. you are not unfit to practise for health reasons
  4. you have the level of German language skills required to practise your profession.

All qualifications listed in the annex to the German Dentistry Act (Zahnheilkundegesetz) are recognised as being equivalent.

If you have a different qualification, then its equivalency must be assessed and determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Recognised qualifications (Annex to Dentistry Act)

Please contact the competent authorities of the federal state in which you wish to practise for the necessary documents and for help with any questions relating to your application for a German license.

Health Service Authorities for the federal states (contact details)

We also recommend contacting the dental chambers for the federal state in which you wish to work. They will be able to provide you with further information.

(Federal state-) dental chambers (contact details)

More information on the process of applying for a license to practice dentistry, the specializations recognized and the competent authorities can be found on the information portal of the German government.

Recognition in Germany

Contact

Department for European and International Affairs in Brussels

Bundeszahnärztekammer
Department for European and International Affairs

1, Avenue de la Renaissance
B-1000 Brüssel
Tel: +32 2 7328415
Fax: +32 2 7355679
E-mail: info@bzaek.eu 

The Bundeszahnärztekammer has had its own representation in Brussels since 1993. Dr. Alfred Büttner is the Head of the Department European and International Affairs.

Headquarters Berlin

Bundeszahnärztekammer
Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e.V. (BZÄK)

CEO Florian Lemor

Chausseestraße 13
10115 Berlin

Tel.: +49 30 40005-0
Fax: +49 30 40005-200
E-Mail: info@bzaek.de
Internet: www.bzaek.de

Zahnärztekammern der Länder
Positionen und Statements