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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Specialist List in Latvia May 2026
Girts Salms, Ieva Bagante, UEMS Section Delegates, Latvia
An Outline for Non-Latvian OMFS Surgeons
This document has been written to help free movement of colleagues. It was accurate at the time of writing. Circumstances change and we recommend checking the current status before making any significant commitments. It is often helpful to contact a UEMS delegate from the nation where you are interested in working. The OMFS Specialist List in Latvia is held by the respective Medical Chamber of Latvia. Both your medical and dental qualification and also your specialist registration need to be recognized officially by the Medical Chamber of Latvia. Latvia is a dual degree OMFS nation, therefore, the nature and timing of your dental qualification is important. In Latvia, the Medical Chamber is responsible for the recognition of any medical certificate. Applicants should contact the Latvian Medical Chamber.
Background
Officially entry as an OMFS requires training completed whilst in possession of both dental and medical degrees and to present certificate C1 level in Latvian language issued from State Education Development Agency. To be registrable means that the qualifications can be fully recognized and registered by the Dental Medical Chamber of the state for the dental degree, and the Medical Chamber of the state for the medical degree. Currently, medical and dental degrees from all EU nations are registrable and those from non-EU nations are not. Specialists from an EU country in which dual accreditation is required (see PQD 2005/36) will receive recognition of their professional qualification upon application; additional questions concerning the language and personal suitability which are not in the focus of this outline, are further criteria for permission to work.
OMFS specialists from nations with recognized dual degree OMFS in Annex V
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, UK
Some nations have dual degree training but are not yet dual degree in Annex V. For this group, you will have to follow the single medical degree application process.
OMFS specialists with single medical od dental degree
Latvia does have an OMFS specialist list of colleagues with a single medical or dental degree (only small number – almost all due to retired in the near future).
Specialists from an EU country with only a medical license and additional dental training without a dental degree cannot automatically be recognized. This constellation requires a case-by-case evaluation which might lead to a reduced recognition. For specialists who solely have a dental degree, there is no possibility to get accepted for working in OMFS in Latvia.
OMFS Surgeons with dual medical and dental degrees from Nations with Single Degree OMFS or where OMFS is under dental directives.
Specialists who hold dual medical and dental qualifications, but are not trained in a dual degree nation, may be able to get fully accepted. These cases need individual evaluations. All specialists from non-EU countries require a case-by-case examination in which both the medical and dental diplomas and the specialist diplomas are examined and checked for equivalence by the Medical Chamber and Dental Chamber of Latvia.
Step by Step Guide for OMFS specialists working in Latvia
1) Is your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) from an EU nation with dual degree OMFS?
If yes, you should apply directly to the Medical Chamber of Latvia. The process should be relatively straight-forward, but additional evidence may be requested. Additionally, present certificate C1 level in Latvian language issued from State Education Development Agency.
If no go to the next step
2) Your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is NOT from an EU nation with dual degree OMFS, are you dually qualified? i.e. you possess both a dental and medical qualification which can be registered in Latvia? Your application (portfolio of evidence) needs an individual evaluation by the Medical Chamber and the Dental Chamber of Latvia.
3) Your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is NOT from an EU nation with dual degree OMFS and you have a single medical: it needs an individual evaluation by the Medical Chamber of Latvia. For the most up-to-date version of PQD 2005/36 you should search for EU Directive 2005/36 EUR-LEX in Google or similar search engine. This should bring you to a page similar to http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/36/2024-06-20 with the directive in a range of European languages, including English. Always check the date, to ensure the link is to the most up-to-date version.
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