About this program

The department of orthodontics and craniofacial biology at the Radboud university medical centre offers a four-year fulltime international postgraduate program in orthodontics to become a specialist in orthodontics. The program leads to a certificate of completion of specialist training in orthodontics according to EU-directive 78/686/EEG. The program is approved and accredited by the Specialist Registration Committee of the Dutch Dental Association (RTS). The program is also approved by the Network of Erasmus based European Orthodontic Programs (NEBEOP). Upon completion of all requirements of the program, the postgraduate student has to partake in a final discussion with an external committee to acquire the certificate.

Education starts once every two years, in April of the uneven years. Candidates are selected during the preceding period.

The theoretical part of the training program starts in year 1 and lasts until the end of the program. In the first part of the training, scientific methodology is taught with a further introduction to conducting one's own research. Active participation of the AIOS in research projects related to growth and development of orofacial structures is required. Research begins in the first year.

Theoretical courses and preclinical training

Treatment of patients is preceded by theoretical courses and extensive preclinical training in various techniques. Knowledge and understanding of treatment strategies and procedures is obtained mainly through joint discussions.

Clinical experience

Half of the working week consists of patient treatment. There, extensive clinical experience is gained through the application of various techniques (such as fixed, removable, functional, and extra-oral appliances). A regular part of the training is an internship at the Radboudumc Expertise Center Schisis. In addition, AIOS participate in other combined interdisciplinary consultation hours (such as the orthognathic consultation hour or the consultation hour with the MFP dentist where, for example, oligodontia patients are seen).

Research

Research is part of the program for every resident. Learn more at Research.

go to main content
Education Courses Four-year postgraduate program in Orthodontics

About this program

The department of orthodontics and craniofacial biology at the Radboud university medical centre offers a four-year fulltime international postgraduate program in orthodontics to become a specialist in orthodontics. The programme leads to a certificate of completion of specialist training in orthodontics according to EU-directive 78/686/EEG.

read more

For more information please contact

Jacqueline Verhoeven
Coordinator specialist training in Orthodontics

contact form

Applying

Around spring 2026 you will find more information on this page, regarding the program starting in April 2027.

In short

  • Dentists with a Dutch (BIG) registration.

  • Requirements

     

    Applicants should have graduated as a dentist (DDS or DMD) from a recognized institution.

    Before you can start one of the postgraduate programmes in Orthodontics at universities in the Netherlands, you have to be registered as a dentist in the Netherlands (BIG registration), which also requires a Dutch language proficiency test.

    The BIG registration has to be obtained before we can offer you a position at our department.

    Learn more about working in the Dutch healthcare sector with a foreign diploma.

    Applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Academic IELTS exam, with a minimum total score of 7.0. The exam score must be current (less than two years old) and has to be submitted with the other application documents.

  • Certificate

    All theoretical courses are concluded with an examination. At the end of all of the first three years, a field examination has to be passed. After four years and upon completion of all requirements, the programme is concluded with an external examination by the Specialist Registration Committee of the Dutch Dental Association. This examination consists of an oral examination, the presentation of 12 cases treated by the resident, a discussion about 2 new cases presented by the examination committee, and the defense of the research output. Upon successful completion of the examination, a certificate is granted. If the candidate meets the criteria for recognition of his/her dental degree in the Netherlands (registration in the so-called BIG-registry) then registration in the Dutch registry of orthodontic specialists can be obtained.

    In addition, for those who combine the postgraduate programme in orthodontics with a PhD programme, a PhD degree can be awarded after fulfillment of all requirements (doctoral thesis and its public defense).

Research

Research is part of the program for every resident.

read more

Research

Research is part of the program for every resident. Each resident conducts a research project in close collaboration with an advisor. The research of the department is embedded in the Research Institute for Medical Innovation. During the years many publications of faculty and residents have been published in international ISI-listed journals. Each resident is required to have one manuscript accepted in or submitted to an international ISI-listed journal by the end of the postgraduate program. It is a requirement to complete the research prior to the final discussion with the external committee as the publication is an integral part of this.