Turkish dentist titles and specialities, explained
The letters in front of a Turkish dentist’s name tell you how they trained. Here is how to read them, and what they do not tell you.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026Dt. means a qualified dentist (a five-year university degree). Uzm. Dt. means a specialist who passed the national DUS exam and completed specialist training. Dr. Dt. means the dentist holds a doctorate (PhD). Doç. Dr. (associate professor) and Prof. Dr. (professor) are university ranks. Türkiye recognises eight dental specialities; implantology is not one of them, so implants are placed by oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and trained general dentists.
The titles, from first degree to professor
| Title | In Turkish | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dt. | Diş hekimi | A qualified dentist with a five-year university degree in dentistry. |
| Uzm. Dt. | Uzman diş hekimi | A specialist. The dentist passed the national specialist exam (DUS) and completed several years of training in one speciality. |
| Dr. Dt. | Doktor diş hekimi | The dentist holds a doctorate (PhD) in a dental subject. Many specialists also hold one. |
| Dr. Öğr. Üyesi | Doktor öğretim üyesi | A university lecturer with a doctorate (similar to assistant professor). |
| Doç. Dr. | Doçent doktor | Associate professor, a university rank gained through research and an academic assessment. |
| Prof. Dr. | Profesör doktor | Professor, the highest university rank. |
In English, many clinics call all their dentists "Dr", so the Turkish title, or the title on the Ministry register, is the better guide. The HealthTürkiye register shows "Dentist", "M.D. Specialist" (its English word for uzman), "Doctor", "Associate Professor" or "Professor".
The eight recognised dental specialities
- Ağız, Diş ve Çene CerrahisiOral and maxillofacial surgery: extractions, wisdom teeth, bone grafts, sinus lifts, implants in difficult jaws.
- Protetik Diş TedavisiProsthodontics: crowns, bridges, dentures and the teeth that sit on implants, including full-arch bridges.
- PeriodontolojiPeriodontology: gum disease, gum surgery and, often, implants.
- OrtodontiOrthodontics: braces and clear aligners.
- EndodontiEndodontics: root canal treatment.
- Restoratif Diş TedavisiRestorative dentistry: fillings, composite bonding and many veneers.
- PedodontiChildren’s dentistry.
- Ağız, Diş ve Çene RadyolojisiDental radiology: X-rays and 3D scans, and reading them.
Who places implants?
Implantology is not a speciality of its own in Türkiye. Implants are placed by oral surgeons and periodontists, and very often by general dentists who have done further implant courses. The teeth on top are frequently made under a prosthodontist’s plan. That is why the same clinic may have one dentist for the surgery and another for the teeth. Ask who does which, and look both up.
The dentists in this guide, by title
| Title on the register | Dentists |
|---|---|
| Professor (Prof.) | 2 |
| Associate Professor (Doç.) | 1 |
| Doctor (PhD) | 1 |
| Specialist (Uzman) | 3 |
| Dentist (Dt.) | 23 |
Our top pick, Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, is a dentist (Dt.) who works on implant surgery and prosthetics. We chose him for his focus on the treatment most UK patients travel for and for the record his clinic publishes, not for an academic title. Precious Dental publishes this guide.
What a title does not tell you
- How often the dentist does your particular treatment.
- Whether the plan you are offered is the right one for your mouth.
- What happens, and who pays, if something goes wrong once you are home.
For those, ask the dentist directly, in writing. See how to check a Turkish dentist.
Common questions
Is a Turkish dentist with 'Dr.' a doctor?
In Türkiye, 'Dr. Dt.' means the dentist holds a doctorate (PhD) in a dental subject. Many clinics also call every dentist 'Dr' in English for politeness, so check the Turkish title or the register.
Who places dental implants in Turkey?
There is no separate implant speciality in Türkiye. Implants are placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and by general dentists with further implant training. Ask how many implants the dentist places in a typical month.
What does 'M.D. Specialist' mean on HealthTürkiye?
It is how the English version of the HealthTürkiye register shows the Turkish title 'Uzman' (specialist). For a dentist it means a recognised dental speciality, not a medical degree.
Is a professor better than a general dentist?
Not automatically. A professor has a strong academic record, but for a routine case an experienced dentist who does the same treatment every week may be just as good. Ask about experience with your treatment.
Sources
- ÖSYM: Dental Specialty Examination (DUS)
- Turkish Dental Association (Türk Dişhekimleri Birliği)
- HealthTürkiye: health professionals
- Oral Health Foundation: going abroad for dental treatment
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Want our top pick to look at your case?
Send an X-ray or a few photos to Precious Dental in Antalya. Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, our implant surgeon, or one of his colleagues will reply with a written plan and price. No obligation, and you are free to compare it with any dentist in this guide.