The Netherlands offers one of Europe’s most transparent yet tightly controlled healthcare systems. For foreign trained dentists, especially Indian BDS graduates, the opportunity to practise comes not through academic shortcuts but through formal recognition, language proficiency, and professional assessment under the BIG Register.
Unlike countries where postgraduate degrees may influence licensing, the Dutch system is strictly competency driven. Every non EEA dentist must prove equivalence, demonstrate Dutch language readiness, and pass the BI professional assessment before independent practice is legally permitted.
Inforens supports aspiring international dentists by simplifying this process. Through accurate regulatory guidance, early language planning, and realistic career mapping, Inforens helps candidates approach the Netherlands pathway with informed expectations, structured preparation, and compliance at every stage.
Critical Clarification: Master’s Degree vs Licensing
- Direct Licensing Route: You can work as a dentist without completing a Master’s degree if you successfully complete the recognition procedure and pass the required professional assessment (BI test).
- Master’s Route: Completing a Master’s degree in the Netherlands does not grant automatic BIG registration. If your primary qualification is a non-EEA BDS, you must still follow the BIG recognition pathway.
This distinction is confirmed by the BIG Register and is frequently misunderstood by foreign dentists.
👉 Get expert clarity on degree vs licensing strategy with Inforens.
Top 5 Universities in the Netherlands for Dental Studies (2026)
The Netherlands has a small, highly selective dental education ecosystem. Dutch universities are globally respected, but no university can bypass BIG registration or the BI professional assessment for non-EEA dentists, including Indian BDS graduates.
The institutions below are listed for academic reputation, clinical credibility, and post-registration career value—not as licensing shortcuts.
1. ACTA – Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam
(University of Amsterdam + Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Location: Amsterdam
Why it stands out:
- The only dedicated dental school in the Netherlands
- Directly involved in organising the BI professional assessment
- Highest employer recognition for dentists in the Dutch system
Popular Programs:
- MSc Dentistry (Dutch-taught)
- Postgraduate clinical and research tracks
⚠️ Critical note:
Admission is extremely competitive and does NOT grant BIG registration for non-EEA dentists.
2. University of Amsterdam (UvA) – Health & Oral Sciences
Location: Amsterdam
Why it stands out:
- Strong integration with ACTA
- Excellent research reputation in oral health and biomedical sciences
Popular Programs:
- MSc Oral Health Sciences
- Research-focused dental programs
⚠️ Limited value for candidates seeking clinical shortcuts.
3. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Location: Amsterdam
Why it stands out:
- Co-founder of ACTA
- Strong academic-clinical collaboration
Popular Programs:
- Dental sciences and oral health research pathways
⚠️ Does not offer independent clinical dentistry degrees.
4. Radboud University (Radboudumc)
Location: Nijmegen
Why it stands out:
- Well respected in health sciences and medical education
- Suitable for research-oriented or interdisciplinary careers
Popular Programs:
- MSc Biomedical Sciences (oral health focus)
⚠️ Not a clinical dentistry licensing pathway.
5. University of Groningen – University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Location: Groningen
Why it stands out:
- Strong healthcare reputation in northern Netherlands
- Good academic credibility post-BIG registration
Popular Programs:
- Health sciences and oral research programs
⚠️ Does not provide clinical dentistry licensure.
Licensing Authority & Registration Body
The competent authority for dentists in the Netherlands is:
- CIBG (Ministry of Health) – administrator of the BIG Register
- Website: https://english.bigregister.nl
Every practising dentist in the Netherlands must be BIG-registered. Practising without registration is illegal.
👉 Start your BIG registration planning with Inforens experts.
Credential Evaluation (NUFFIC / IDW)
Before any exams or registration, your Indian BDS must be formally evaluated.
- Credential evaluations are carried out by NUFFIC, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education.
- Applications are submitted through the IDW (International Credential Evaluation) portal.
Purpose of the Evaluation
- To compare your BDS curriculum, duration, and level against Dutch dental education standards
- To determine whether you can proceed to professional assessment
This step is mandatory and officially documented on the NUFFIC website.
Language Requirements (Official)
Dutch language proficiency is mandatory for patient safety and professional communication.
Required Levels (as per BIG Register)
- Dutch: B2+ level (Common European Framework)
- English: B2 level
Important Update: The former AKV language test has been abolished. Applicants must now submit recognised language certificates instead.
The BIG Register does not officially mandate C1, although many candidates choose to study up to C1 level for exam readiness.
Professional Assessment – BI Test
After credential recognition and language verification, applicants must complete a Professional Competence Test (BI-toets).
BI Test Overview
- Conducted under the authority of the BIG Register
- For dentistry, the test is organised in cooperation with ACTA (Amsterdam)
What the BI Test Assesses
- Theoretical dental knowledge
- Clinical reasoning
- Practical skills (often on simulators)
Frequency & Capacity
- The BIG Register confirms that BI tests are organised periodically
- Exact number of exam rounds per year is not officially specified
- In practice, availability is limited and waiting periods are common (non-official observation)
👉 Plan your BI assessment journey with Inforens guidance.
BIG Registration
Once you successfully complete:
- Diploma recognition
- Language requirements
- BI professional assessment
You can apply for final BIG registration as a dentist.
Only after BIG registration are you legally allowed to practise dentistry independently in the Netherlands.
Cost Table — Netherlands Licensing Pathway (2026)
Notes:
• BIG Register does not charge for the recognition commission; only the BIG registration itself costs €85.
• Credential evaluation costs are typically around €148.83 (official IDW fee).
• Language and exam costs are estimates based on typical market pricing; official bodies do not list fixed amounts.
👉 Access financial and visa planning support with Inforens.
Salary Comparison Chart — Dentist Salaries in the Netherlands (2026)
Here are realistic salary ranges that reflect general market data for dentists in the Netherlands. Salary figures vary by source, so we’ve harmonised them to a credible range.
Timeline (Indicative – Not Official)
The BIG Register does not publish a fixed timeline. Based on typical applicant experiences:
- Language preparation: 9–15 months
- Credential evaluation: 2–4 months
- BI test waiting period: variable
Actual timelines depend on individual readiness and exam availability.
👉 Start your Netherlands dentistry plan with Inforens.
Actionable Next Steps
- Review your BDS eligibility via the IDW portal
- Begin structured Dutch language training early
- Familiarise yourself with BIG recognition procedures
- Monitor official BIG Register updates regularly
Official Reference Websites
- NUFFIC: https://www.nuffic.nl
- BIG Register (Foreign Dentists): https://english.bigregister.nl/foreign-diploma
Disclaimer: This guide reflects official regulatory information available at the time of writing (2026). Policies may change. Always verify directly with NUFFIC and the BIG Register before making financial or career decisions.
Conclusion
The Netherlands offers a clear and well regulated pathway for dentists who are willing to meet language, recognition, and assessment requirements. With structured preparation, realistic expectations, and expert guidance from Inforens, Indian BDS graduates can successfully navigate BIG registration and build a long term dental career in the Netherlands,Do Indian dentists need IDC exam