Work as a dentist in the Netherlands

A job in a Dutch dental clinic is the main goal of our program. When you start studying Dutch, we already start focusing on finding a suitable clinic for you. We aim to find a clinic that is a good match with your profile, professionally and personally, and where you can develop your career further. Our BGB account managers will guide you through this process.

During the course, we will schedule an introductory meeting between you and the clinic. This can either be online or during a personal meeting. When the outcome is positive, you will start with a 3-week internship at the clinic so both sides can assess whether it’s a mutual match. If all goes well, your job as a dentist in the Netherlands will truly begin!

Once you start working in a Dutch dental clinic, our support doesn’t end. Throughout the contract period, we ensure our dentists have continuous employment. Additionally, we provide ongoing support by conducting evaluations every 6 months, focusing on your performance in the clinic and offering assistance with professional development.

In the Netherlands, dentists are required to learn Dutch on a B2+ level to be able to work independently as a healthcare professional in the Netherlands. In order to be registered in the BIG (register for Professions in Individual Healthcare), you therefore need to take a language exam for healthcare professionals that shows your language level.

This might sound a bit intimidating, but helping foreign dentists master the Dutch language is our specialty. With our BGB Academy course, that’s dedicated to dentists and dentistry Dutch, we know exactly what it takes to get you on the desired level. We’ve even created our own dentistry Dutch book, including an online learning environment.

Our course lasts 20 weeks, and is divided in 4 parts of 5 weeks each. The first two parts of the course, you can follow from the comfort of your own home. During this period, you will receive online classes from our teachers along with fellow students. The last two parts of our course will take place on-location, so you can get to know your classmates and immerse yourself fully in the Dutch language.

After you complete the course in Seefeld, you can finally move to the Netherlands. Of course, there are still some important matters to take care of before you can truly start your new life and career here. BGB has a lot of experience guiding dentists through these first few steps in their new country, so you can count on us to make your arrival as smooth as possible.

In the first week after your arrival, we will take care of the basics for you, such as opening a Dutch bank account, registering you with the municipality and providing you with other necessities such as work clothing and, if necessary, transport to and from your clinic. If you did not pass the language exam in Seefeld, this week may also be used for a few extra classes, followed by another exam attempt at our office in Koog aan de Zaan.

In the second week, you will start your internship at your new clinic. We will make sure that you have a place to stay during this internship, and we will also help you find a permanent residence (house/apartment) once you commit to the clinic. Usually, the clinic you do your internship at is also the clinic where you’ll start working, but this may change if you and/or clinic decide that there’s no mutual match after all. Once you have settled at your clinic and in your new hometown, it is time to start enjoying your career as a Dutch dentist!

Even after you started working in a Dutch dental clinic, we will keep on assisting you to make sure you can flourish in the Netherlands. On a personal level, we will check in regularly to see how you’re doing and to make sure everything is in order. On a professional level, we have evaluations to talk about your progress and wishes.

Whatever your ambitions are, we will be by your side to fulfill them. This can be anything from specializing in a specific dentistry area to following courses and masterclasses to become an even better dentists. We also organize our own BGB masterclasses under the guidance of our dentist advisor Rita Marinho.

Throughout the years, BGB has established a broad network of dental organizations and course providers, and we’ve helped many dentists to develop their dentistry career. We have the people, the knowledge and motivation to help you find your way in the world of Dutch dentistry and to make your transition as a dentist in Holland as smooth as possible.

If you’re a foreign dentist seeking a new adventure abroad, you may be exploring various countries as potential destinations. With a shortage of dentists across several European countries, each with its own unique advantages, the decision of which country is best suited for you ultimately rests in your hands. While we’re not completely objective in this matter, we firmly believe that the Netherlands presents abundant opportunities for foreign dentists looking to embark on a new career abroad.

The Netherlands offers numerous advantages for both working as a dentist and living as a dentist in Holland. In terms of your professional life, you can anticipate excellent working conditions, a satisfactory salary, and ample opportunities for professional development. Regarding your personal life, the Netherlands boasts a favorable tax climate for expatriates, a healthy work-life balance, and a robust social security system. It comes as no surprise that the Netherlands has been ranked as the top destination for quality of life, considering factors such as cost of living, crime rates, healthcare, commute times, and environmental pollution.

Regardless of your reasons for seeking a new country to call home, the Netherlands offers a wide range of benefits to suit your needs.