Both departments are members of NEBEOP – Network of Erasmus Based European Orthodontic Programs, and exchange of information on the educational content of the programs is one of the Networks’ aims.
As part of their program, their professor organizes short study visits abroad to expose them to different teaching traditions and clinical practices. This year’s group came to Oslo, where they had also attended a congress two years earlier.
During their week-long stay, the students observed a variety of clinical activities, including surgical planning, orthodontic cases, and consultations. They also engaged in discussions with the clinical staff, comparing methods and approaches to orthodontic treatment.
“We were very happy to come to Oslo,” they said. “It’s great to see how things are done here, and we really enjoyed the exchange with the instructors. Everyone has been welcoming, and we’ve learned a lot.”
The students noted both similarities and differences between Zurich and Oslo.
“In Zurich we use a standard edgewise system, which is a bit more traditional. We also perform more extractions. Here, we saw that treatment can be done differently, and it’s valuable to learn from that.”
Their training in Zurich is a four-year program:
Three years full-time at the university, focusing first on seminars and record-taking, then gradually moving to patient treatment. A fourth year part-time, combining university duties with work in practice, while completing ongoing cases.
Admission requires prior clinical experience as a dentist (usually one to three years), followed by the national Swiss board exam at the end of specialization.
All three will complete their studies in mid-September and have already secured positions in practices where they will work alongside experienced orthodontists.
“It feels special to end our student journey here in Oslo,” they added. “We are thankful for the hospitality and for the chance to experience another academic environment.”
This visit reflects the ongoing academic collaboration between the University of Oslo and the University of Zurich, and highlights the value of international exchange in specialist training.