Dentists

Places of Employment | Knowledge of Hebrew | Finding Work | License Recognition for General Dentistry | Overview of the Licensing Exam | License Recognition for Specialists | Syllabus for Licensing Exams | Sample Exam

Places of Employment

About 85% of all dentists in Israel work in private clinics or in group practice. Other employment opportunities include kupot holim, school clinics, kibbutzim and hospitals. Dentists working in public institutions are allowed to work in private clinics as well. For general information about dentistry, visit the Israel Dental Association online at http://www.ida.org.il/ or contact them at:

HaHistadrut LeRefuat Shinayim BeYisrael
9 Kikar Tzina
Dizengoff Square
Tel Aviv 63566
Phone 03 528 8054

Knowledge of Hebrew

A good working knowledge of Hebrew is essential. It is strongly advised to take Ulpan upon arrival. Even where dentists work entirely with English speakers, it is still necessary to deal with the various agencies that make up the Israeli medical network. When you first arrive in Israel, it is worthwhile shadowing an Israeli dentist (though this is not required). This provides an opportunity to learn the technical language that you won’t necessarily gain in ulpan. In addition, some of the materials used in Israeli dental offices differ from what is used abroad. Finally, there are cultural differences that must be explored, such as the expectations of Israeli patients and how Israeli clinics operate. There is also the possibility that the person you shadow will eventually offer you a job.

Finding Work

The best way to find a job in dentistry is by networking and directly contacting clinics. Contact any dentists that you know and make personal connections with other dentists. Look up local clinics in your phone book and call them. For a list of dentists online see http://www.ida.org.il Most clinics don’t advertise, and job vacancies are filled by word of mouth.

Professional conferences are an excellent way of gaining professional contacts. The Israel Dental Association has an annual conference, and specialists each have their own conferences. In addition, some companies selling dental products hold conferences.

Finally, job vacancies are sometimes listed by the Israel Dental Association. For details see www.ida.org.il.

License Recognition for General Dentistry

In order to practice in Israel, all dentists must pass a licensing exam. There are no exemptions. The exam is held twice a year. It may be possible to take the exam in English, provided that there are a sufficient number of candidates. You may take the exam before receiving Oleh status, but it is necessary to obtain Oleh status within two years of the exam in order to receive a license.

Preparatory courses for the exam are offered when there are a minimum number of participants, and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption may provide a small stipend for the duration of studies.

Successful completion of a Hebrew proficiency exam is a necessary prerequisite for the course.

To register for the exam, dentists should apply to the Ministry of Health, Department of Medical Professions (HaYechida LeMiktzo’ot Refu’im):

Jerusalem:
2 Rehov Ben Tabai
POB 1176
Jerusalem 91010
Phone: 02 670 5820
Fax: 02 679 0846

Requests must be filed no later than 30 days prior to the exam date, however, it is recommended that you begin the registration process 3 to 4 months prior to the exam.

Fees for each part of the exam must be paid at a branch of the Postal Bank (Bank HaDoar).

The following documents are necessary:

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• 3 passport photos.

• 3 photocopies of Israeli identity card, including the address stub and/or photocopy of passport with valid authorization for living in Israel.

• Final diploma in dentistry from a recognized university or certification from a university of completion of studies, completion of all requirements for the university, and entitlement to a degree in dentistry to be awarded on a certain date.

• Official confirmation of beginning and ending date of studies.

• For overseas graduates – license to practice dentistry abroad (in the event that the requested license cannot be attached, attach a letter of explanation).

• For overseas graduates – official work permits in dentistry from the appropriate institutions, and notations regarding the starting and ending dates of work at each institution (in the relevant cases – a work card).

• For overseas graduates: professional letter of good standing from the authorized bodies in the country from which the applicant immigrated to Israel. The letter confirms that there are no, and have not been any, disciplinary, negligence or professional ethics complaints against the dentist.

• Israel Police confirmation of the absence of criminal records (or alternatively: details of the existing criminal records in the applicant’s name). In the absence of confirmation, the Medical Professionals Licensing Division will contact the police to receive the confirmation.

• Registration form (in 3 copies).

To receive a license to practice dentistry in Israel, graduates of institutions recognized to teach this profession overseas must successfully pass the government licensing examinations in dentistry in Israel.

You must fill out a form, requesting to take the dental exam. The form is available at the Misrad Habriut offices or online at:
http://www.health.gov.il/pages/default.asp?maincat=4&catid=306&pageid=2785

Note:

All of the documents must be submitted in the original plus 2 photocopies. If a notary translated the document, the original notarized copy and 2 photocopies of the translation should be attached. If the document is not translated, it should be submitted in 3 copies, with the photocopies verified at the office by comparing them to the original document.

Overview of the Licensing Exam

For details of the exam, see the Misrad HaBriut web site at: http://www.health.gov.il

Topics covered in the licensing exam include:

• Diagnosis, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology
• Local anesthetics, and medical and dental emergency treatment
• Restorative and reconstructive dentistry, and dental materials
• Pedodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Endodontics
• Application of basic sciences (microbiology, physiology, etc.)

The dates of the exam for Spring 2008 are as follows:
Part I: March 3rd
Part 2: March 28th or 29th (one of these days)

The dates of the exam for Fall 2008 are as follows:
Part 1: September 22nd
Part 2: To be determined

The exam includes three sections:

• Part 1: Written examination which lasts approximately 4 hours, involving multiple choice questions. It is highly recommended that you be in touch with someone who has recently taken the exam to find out more about what is included. Write to employment@nbn.org.il for assistance. You must receive notification that you passed the written exam before you can continue with the rest of the exam (parts 2 and 3).

• Part 2: Questions about slides, including orthodontics, questions about decay, x-rays, and correct diagnosis of oral lesions. Click here to view an old version of this part of the exam.

• Part 3: Practical exam using a dental manikin, which includes one or more of the following: artificial fillings, beginning of root treatment, crowns (including prepping for a crown). There is a specified time limit. This part of the exam is taken together with Part 2.

Note that if you take a preparatory course before taking the exam, you will have an opportunity to practice working with artificial teeth.

License Recognition for Specialists

The following specializations are recognized in Israel: Endodontics, Oral medicine, Oral pathology, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Orthodontics, Pedodontics, Periodontics and Public health dentistry.

Specialists must first successfully complete the dental licensing exam. One can then approach the Dental Scientific Council:

Each specialization has its own licensing requirements.

For a list of specialists see: http://www.ida.org.il

Syllabus for National Licensing Examinations in Dentistry

1-  Diagnosis
*  Langlais RP, Bricker SL, Cotton JA and Baker BR: Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medecine and Treatment Planning, WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, last ed.
*  Sharav Y. Orofacial Pain. in Wall PB and Melzack R (eds): Textbook of pain. Churchill Livingstone, last ed,. 1989

2-  Oral medicine
*  Wood NK. and Goaz PW. Differential Diagnosis of Oral Lesions. CV. Mosby, St. Louis, 4 th ed., 1991.

3-  Oral radiology
*  Goaz PW. and White SC. Oral Radiologie - Principles and Interpretation, CV. Mosby , St. Louis,  2 nd ed, 1987

4-  Oral Pathology
*  Regezi JA and Sciubba JJ. Oral Pathology. WB Saunders, Philadelphia,  last ed.

5-  Medical emergencies in the dental office
*  Little JW and Falace DA. Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. CV Mosby Co., St. Louis,  last ed.

6-   Conservative dentistry
*  Baun, Phillips and Lund. Textbook of Operative Dentistry. WB Saunders, 2 nd ed 1985.
*  Newbrun E. Cariology. Quintessence Publishing Co., Berlin, third ed., 1987

7-   Occlusion
*  Kraus BS, Jordan RE, Abrams LA. Dental Anatomy and occlusion, Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, last ed.

8-   Full denture
*  Hickey CJ, Zarb GA, Bolender CL. Baucher’s Prosthodontics for edentulous Patients. CV Mosby Co., St. Louis, 1990.

9-  Removable partial denture
*  Henderson D, Mc Givney GP, Castelberry DJ. Mc Cracken’s Partial Removable Prosthodontics, CV Mosby  Co., St. Louis, 1985.

10-  Fixed partial dentures
*  Schillinburg HT, Hobo S, Whitestti LD : Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontic.
Quintessence Publishing Co., Berlin, 1987.

11-  Dental materials
*  Craig RG. Restorative Dental Materials, CV Mosby Co. last ed.

12-  Pedodontics
*  Wei Shy. Pediatric care - total patient care, Lea & Fabiger, last ed.

13-  Development and growth   
*  Moyers RE. Handbook of Orthodontics, Year Book Medical Publishers, last ed.

14-  Oral surgery and  anesthesia
*  Kruger Go. Textbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia, last ed.

15-  Periodontics
*  Genco RJ, Goldman, Cohen DW. Contemporary Periodontics. CV Mosby, St. Louis, last ed.
*  Carranza AC, Newman MG. Clinical Periodontology. WB Saunders Co,. London,  last ed.

16-   Endodontics
*  Walton RE, Torabinejad M. Principles of Endodontics. WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia,  last ed.

17-   Implementation of knowledge
*  Bashkar SN. Orban’s Oral Histology and Embriology. last ed.
*  Nolte WA. Oral Microbiology. CV Mosby Co., St. Louis, 1982.

18-  Law
*  The dentist ordinance 1978.

19-  Ethics
*  By- laws of the Israeli Dental Association (chapiter b,c,d) 1983.
*  Beauchamp TL and  Childress JF Principle of Biomedical Ethics, third ed, New York Oxford University Press 1994.
*  Weinstein BD. Dental Ethics. Lea and Febinger, Philadelphia 1993. 

Special thanks to Laura L. Woolf, Chief Editor of English Language Publications at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

An additional thank you to Dr. Ofira Michaelson for her invaluable assistance. Dr. Michaelson works in private dental clinics in Jerusalem and Efrat. For questions about dentistry in Israel, she can be reached at samm@younevercall.com.