These countries have the highest DHA recognition, often requiring no post-specialty experience.
Country | Recognized Dental Specialty Certificate |
Australia | Fellowship of the Royal College/Colleges (exam-based), Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, Clinical Master’s, Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons |
Austria | Postgraduate studies certificate, Clinical Master’s |
Belgium | Specialization certificate in Orthodontics/Periodontics issued by Belgian University |
Canada | National Dental Specialist Examination (NDSE), Fellowship of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, Clinical Master’s, University-based clinical residency (UAE nationals only) |
Czech Republic | Diplom o Specializaci in Orthodontics/Oral Surgery + registration in Czech Dental Chamber |
Denmark | Specialist certificate in Maxillofacial/Oral Surgery (5-year program) |
Finland | Specialist Certificate in Orthodontics or Oral Surgery, Clinical Master’s |
France | Certificat d’études spécialisées (CES) in dental specialty, Diplôme Interuniversitaire de Spécialité (DIS) |
Germany | Fachzahnarztliche Anerkennung (Orthodontics, Oral Surgery), Certificate of Periodontics |
Greece | Postgraduate degree in dental specialty |
Hong Kong | Fellowship of College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, Master of Dental Surgery in specialty |
Hungary | University Certificate in Orthodontics, Periodontology, Pediatric Dentistry |
India | Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) |
Ireland | CCST (Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training) + Fellowship of Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
Italy | University Certificate in Orthodontics/Oral Surgery |
Japan | Clinical Ph.D. (min 2 years) |
New Zealand | Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Clinical Master’s, Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons |
South Africa | Fellowship Certificate issued by the College of Dentistry of South Africa, Clinical Master’s, MChD (Master of Dentistry) |
Sweden | Certificate issued by Swedish Board of National Health and Welfare |
Switzerland | Specialty certificate recognized by Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft (SSO), Clinical Master’s |
United Kingdom | Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST), Membership/Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowship, Clinical Master’s |
United States | American Board certification, University-based clinical residency accredited by ADA, Clinical Master’s, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study |
Tier 2 – Moderate Recognition
These countries have moderate DHA recognition, may require 1–3 years post-specialty experience depending on UAE status.
Country | Recognized Dental Specialty Certificate |
Arab Countries | Board certificate issued by Arab Board for Medical Specialties |
Croatia | Certificate from Zagreb/Rijeka University in specialty + registration with Croatian Dental Chamber |
Egypt | MD in Dentistry, Master in dental specialty |
Estonia | Degree of Specialist in Orthodontics/Oral Maxillofacial Surgery + registration |
Jordan | Jordan Medical Board program (min 3 years) + Registration at Jordan Dental Association |
Lebanon | Certificate of completion of residency or specialization + exit exam from American University of Beirut, Dental Master’s degree |
Malaysia | Master’s degree recognized by National Specialist Register of Malaysian Dental Council |
Malta | Master’s degree in dental specialty |
Netherlands | Specialization Certificate issued by Specialist Registration Board (SRC) in Orthodontics/Oral Surgery + Clinical Master’s |
Oman | Oman Medical Specialty Board certificate + Clinical Master’s |
Philippines | Philippine Board certification |
Portugal | University certificate in Orthodontics/Oral Surgery + registration with Ordem dos Medicos Dentistas |
Singapore | Master of Dental Surgery issued by Dental Specialist Accreditation Board |
Slovakia | Certificate of specialization in Orthodontics, Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry |
Slovenia | Certificate of completion of specialist exam issued by Medical Chamber of Slovenia |
Sudan | Clinical MD in dental specialty by Sudan Medical Specialization Board, MSc in specialty from Khartoum University |
Syria | Higher Study Diploma from Ministry of Higher Education, Syrian Specialty Certificate, Master’s in dental specialty |
United Arab Emirates | Clinical Master program accredited by MOE/NQC and recognized by UAE authorities |
Tier 3 – Lower Recognition
These countries have lower DHA recognition, usually require additional post-specialty clinical experience in UAE.
Country | Recognized Dental Specialty Certificate |
Algeria | Certificate of Specialization |
Argentina | Specialization certificate issued by a university with specialist registration |
Armenia | Diploma qualifying as a medical specialist (minimum 3 years), Candidate (PhD) |
Azerbaijan | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years, excluding internship), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Bangladesh | Fellow of Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons (exam-based), Master of Surgery (MS) |
Belarus | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Brazil | Master’s in dental specialty + registration from CFO |
Chile | Completion of university specialty program (min 2 years) + Professional Title of Specialist |
China | Master of Stomatological Medicine |
Colombia | “Titulo de Especialista” issued by university + registration |
Iraq | Master’s degree in dental specialty |
Kazakhstan | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Morocco | Master’s or Doctorate in dental specialty |
Moldova | Doctoral degree in dental specialty |
Montenegro | Magister Nauka, Doctor Nauka |
Pakistan | Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS), Clinical Master’s |
Russia | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Tajikistan | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Turkey | Doctor of Science in recognized dental specialty |
Ukraine | Clinical Ordinatura (min 3 years), Clinical Master, Candidate/Doctor of Science |
Venezuela | University specialization degree + registration |
West Africa | Fellowship of West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) |
Yemen | Clinical Master’s degree in dental specialty |