The IADS operates its own Exchange System, which gives dental students the opportunity to spend time at a dental school in another part of the world. Throughout the years this scheme has not only allowed students to appreciate the foreign systems of our profession, but also to fully experience new and different cultures as well as meet dental friends from all around the world. Students visit a foreign country and experience its culture and its dentistry, both scientifically and clinically.

The scheme is well-established and carries out his function through the network of National Exchange Officers (NEOs), one in each member country, who act on behalf of overseas students to arrange places in schools within his/her own country.

Exchanges benefit the participants by enhancing their knowledge of dentistry, exposing them to different technologies and facilities, enhancing cultural and social understanding of the visited country, exchange knowledge, skills and even improve language.

The purpose of an exchange is educational. It allows the dental student to see what dentistry in another country is like, and to appreciate the differences in the kind of treatment that patients expect, as well as the differences in the way treatment is done. Of course, it is impossible to visit another dental school without meeting its students. So the exchanges are also very social.

It is one of the most popular and important activities, which IADS organizes for their members. Every year even 300 students visit foreign countries and experience dentistry not only on their own universities.  Exchanges are possible within the IADS member countries.  The scheme is based on NEOs, who represent their countries during IADS meetings, inform their students about its activities and arrange exchange places for outgoings and incomings. Whole program is coordinated by IEO.

NEOs during their meeting in Sharm El-sheikh (55th IADS World Congress)

NEOs meetings take place during IADS Annual Congresses and Mid-year Meetings, under the chairmanship of the IEO. These meetings are held to allow the IEO to assess the running of the programme as a whole, as well as to identify specific problems within it and to find ways for their correction. It gives NEOs the opportunity to exchange their experiances, give reports and sign exchange contracts.  NEOs meet also online every first Monday of the month at Windows Live Messenger at 19:30 GMT and communicate between each other thanks to NEO e-mail group.

The whole programme is co-ordinated from the Executive Committee by the International Exchange Officer (IEO), whose duties include the updating and circulation of new information, and seeking ways of improving the programme.

Students can usually go for between 2 and 6 weeks. Most exchanges are on a "unilateral" basis, where the incoming student(s) pay the cost of their accommodation, transport and food, etc. Some places offer a "bilateral" exchange where the incoming student is hosted by the students (i.e. the host students provide meals and accomodation), in return for being hosted when they visit the other country at a later time. Bilateral exchanges are established by NEOs who sign contracts between each other and specify conditions of exchanges.

There are very specific times that each participating country and  faculty can accept incoming students because of exams and holidays. What is more, every country has a right to establish its exchange conditions and determine deadlines for applications or for example insurance deposite system. For further details concerning the program in exact country please go to MEMBERS section where you can find Country Member Profiles. You can also contact your NEO which will advise and help to organise your exchange.

There is also an idea of Student Exchange Reports Competition, written as an interesting article after the exchange.  The most interesting reports, selected by Executive Committee, are awarded and published at IADS website and upcoming Newsletter issue.

Step by step how it works...

1. Student is contacting his/her NEO and decides about exchange destination

2. Student fills in the application form (please check out Exchange Application sample) using capital letters; it depends on the hosting country whether e-application or hand-written with stamp, signature and photo is needed;

E-application.pdf - download using Acrobat Reader 9.0 and fill in

Application for IADS exchange.pdf - download, print, fill in, scan and send via e-mail or regular post

3. NEO sends the application form to another NEO  and receives acceptance or rejection notice; then they contuine with organisation matters.

More detailed information and exchange manual you will find here...  Exchange Manual. pdf

After the exchange Student fills in STUDENT EXCHANGE REPORT consisting of 300-400 words and receives official IADS Exchange Certificate. See:  Student Exchange Report

STUDENT EXCHANGE REPORT COMPETITION „Travel with IADS broadens the mind”.

First edition is going to be in 2009. Best exchange reports written by students are choosed and awarded during Annual Meeting. Please read the regulations.

Problems ?

There is also Commitee  For Solving Problems in IADS Exchanges (COSPIE) established. It is working on problems and guidelines concerning exchanges, Check it out in PROJECTS section!

Exchange Fair

Exchange Fair is one of the main points of Congresses social  program. It is one of the evenings when participants from each country, wearing national clothes prepare their table full of national titbits and souvenirs, presenting their country. This evening is a tradition of IADS. It always stays in the memories for a long time.

STUDENTS' REPORTS FROM PREVIOUS EXCHANGES - really worth reading... :)

Exchange to Budapest, Monica Predoiu from Romania

Exchange Turkey - Poland 2006, Filip Fedczyszyn from Poland

Exchange to Kuwait 2007, Martyna Płaczek and Magdalena Pieczyńska from Poland

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Joanna Filipiuk from Poland

Exchange to Germany, Wuerzburg, 2008, Marta Zielińska and Andrzej Dyduch from Poland

Exchange to Russia, Moscow, 2008, Andrzej Wawrzyniak from Poland

Exchange to Germany, Wuerzburg, 2008, Marta Miernik, Poland

Exchange to Malta, 2008, Lukasz Czupkallo, Poland

Exchange to Denmark, Copenhagen, 2008, Simona Loghin, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Vanessa Diana Dima, Romania

Exchange to Germany 2008, Koln, Scarlat Sebastinan-Octavian, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Negru Andreea Roxana, Romania

Exchange to Germany 2008, Koln, Monica Predoiu, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Preda-Nicolae Ioana, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Mihai Andreea Luminita, Romania

Exchange to Egypt 2008, Chirodea Anca Gabriela, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Alina Dragomir, Romania

Exchange to Turkey 2008, Sovaiala Maria Alexandra, Romania

Exchange to Egypt 2008, Adriana Bisoc, Romania

Exchange to Prague 2008, Ewelina Misiakowska and Olga Lason, Poland

Exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark 2009, Ionica Andreea Larisa, Romania

Exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark 2009, Focseneanu Cristina Olivia, Romania

Exchange to Copenhagen, Denmark 2009, Viviana Alexandra Sereanu, Romania