The first proposal to open a specialty ,,Dentistry” at the Faculty of Medicine in Plovdiv was made in 1962 by Prof. Dr. Todor Zahariev /Rector 1957-1964.
In 1970, by a decision of the Council of Ministers of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria (№ 230/24.09.1970) , the specialty ,,Dentistry” was established at the Military Medical Academy – Plovdiv. The first 110 students were admitted and began to study their general medical disciplines in the department in the institute. In 26th of November 1970 the admitted students were 17 men and 93 women.
The reconstruction of the ,,Tomasyan” tobacco warehouse, allocated by the municipal authorities and situated on Veliko Tarnovo street, has commenced to accommodate the needs of specialized disciplines.
In 2006 the Faculty of Dental Medicine is located in a new and modern building, just underneath Mladeshki halm.
Since 2019, the Faculty of Dental Medicine has also had a new facility, ,,Base 2”, equipped with modern apparatus for the education and training of students in Dental Medicine, doctoral candidates and postgraduate trainees.
In compliance with the main educational objectives, mainly the education of Master’s students, doctoral candidates and medical residents, the instructional process in specialized disciplines is conducted across nine departments.
Nowadays 1300 students are enrolled at the Faculty in Dental Medicine – Plovdiv, including 800 in Bulgarian-language programs and 500 in the English-language programs.
The main objective is to raise the quality of education of students in Dental Medicine.
The equipment in the clinical halls is continuously being upgraded, thereby improving the conditions for teaching and learning.
The faculty has excellently equipped lecture halls, phantom rooms, preclinical and clinical facilities.
The equipment in the phantom rooms and the dental technical unit is entirely renewed.
The lecturer’s staff in the Faculty of Dental Medicine is comprised of 27 habilitated lecturers (8 professors and 19 assoc. professors) and 111 non-habilitated lecturers (assistant professors and senior assistant professors).
The research activities of the Faculty of Dental Medicine – Plovdiv are focused on the implementation of new methods and technologies. In 2024 alone, five doctoral dissertations (PhD level) were defended, and in 2023, nine doctoral dissertations (PhD level) were defended.
The Faculty of Dental Medicine organizes international forums, offers opportunities and actively encourages its faculty members and students to take part in national and international scientific activities.
Bilateral agreements have been established with scientific institutions in Latvia, Italy, Spain, North Macedonia and Turkey.
The Faculty of Dental Medicine – Plovdiv actively participates in the Erasmus + program, sending its students and faculty abroad for training and welcoming students and lecturers from partner universities.
In 2025, the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the Medical University – Plovdiv celebrated its 55th anniversary.