Dentistry Schools and Programs in Colombia

Dentistry Studies in Colombia

Dentistry (Odontología) in Colombia is a university degree at professional level (pregrado) that leads to the title of Odontólogo or Odontóloga. It is taught face to face in faculties of dentistry, with clinical practice during the degree. Teaching is in Spanish.

Our directory lists 3 universities in Colombia that teach Dentistry: two in Bogotá and one in Medellín.

How the Dentistry degree is organised

Colombian universities measure programmes in semesters and academic credits, and each programme is registered with the Ministry of National Education under a SNIES code. The three universities in our directory:

• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá): an estimated 10 semesters (5 years) and 185 academic credits, face to face with daytime classes. The study plan has clinical courses from the second semester, hospital rotations in the ninth and a rotating rural internship in the tenth
• Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín): the Faculty of Dentistry was founded in 1932 and teaches the programme in Medellín. The faculty states that the programme holds the national high-quality accreditation, renewed in September 2024 for 8 years, and an international accreditation from the MERCOSUR system ARCU-SUR, granted in March 2022 for 6 years
• Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Bogotá): Dentistry is on the list of undergraduate programmes offered at the Bogotá campus

After the degree, dentists can specialise. The Faculty of Dentistry of the Universidad de Antioquia, for example, lists specialisations in orthodontics (6 semesters), oral rehabilitation (5 semesters), periodontics (6 semesters), endodontics (4 semesters) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (4 years), as well as a master's degree (4 semesters) and a doctorate (8 semesters) in Dental Sciences.

Admission

Each university runs its own admission process:

• The Universidad Nacional de Colombia selects by its own admission test. For the first semester of 2027 the test was held on Sunday 20 September 2026. Foreign applicants follow the regular admission process; those who apply from abroad pay the registration fee online (US$87.50 for the 2026-02 intake).
• The Universidad de Antioquia holds its own admission exam. For the 2026-2 intake, registration ran from 19 February to 18 March 2026 and the exam was on 25 May 2026.
• The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana asks applicants with foreign schooling for the school-leaving diploma with an apostille or authenticated by the Colombian consul, the recognition (convalidación) of that diploma by the Ministry of National Education (except for diplomas obtained in Spain), the results of the Saber 11 exam or of a foreign exam recognised by ICFES, and medical insurance.

Not every programme opens every semester, so the admission calendar of the chosen university is the first thing to check. The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana publishes the tuition fee per semester for each year on its programme page.

Student visa

According to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería), the student visa covers higher education as well as student internships and academic exchanges. Holders of passports from visa-exempt countries do not need this visa if their stay in Colombia does not exceed 180 calendar days, which is not enough for a full degree. The requirements include a certificate of admission or enrolment that states the programme and its length, and a health insurance policy valid in Colombia for the whole stay. The visa is issued for up to two years. It allows only postgraduate university students to work, for up to 20 hours a week. The full list is on the Cancillería site.

Professional registration and careers

Dentistry is a regulated health profession. Law 1164 of 2007 requires a degree from a legally recognised higher education institution or, for degrees obtained abroad, their recognition (convalidación) under the rules in force. Dentists also have to be entered in the Registro Único Nacional del Talento Humano en Salud (ReTHUS), which the Ministry of Health and Social Protection defines as the registration of health workers who meet the requirements of that law and are therefore authorised to practise.

The same law creates a compulsory social service (Servicio Social Obligatorio) for graduates of higher education programmes in health. It lasts between six months and one year and is done in deprived urban or rural areas or areas with difficult access to health services; the Ministry defines which professions are subject to it. It also applies to nationals and foreigners who graduated abroad.

Dentists work in private practice and clinics, public health services, prevention campaigns in the regions, teaching and research.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study Dentistry in Colombia?

The programme of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana has an estimated length of 10 semesters (5 years) and 185 academic credits. A specialisation afterwards adds 4 to 6 semesters at the Universidad de Antioquia, or 4 years for oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Is there an entrance exam?

The Universidad Nacional de Colombia and the Universidad de Antioquia use their own admission tests. Dates change with each intake and are published on the admissions pages.

What do I need to work as a dentist in Colombia after graduating?

Registration in ReTHUS, the national register of health workers. Law 1164 of 2007 also creates a compulsory social service of six months to one year for graduates of health programmes.

Can I practise in Colombia with a foreign dentistry degree?

Law 1164 of 2007 requires the recognition (convalidación) of degrees obtained abroad, and the social service also applies to people who graduated abroad, subject to international agreements.