Latvia is a beautiful country situated in Northern Europe, bordering Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Belarus to the southeast, and Russia to the east. It has the Baltic Sea to the west. Latvia was ruled by the German, Polish, and Russian government before it emerged as a free state in 1918. Right after World War II, Soviet Union forces invaded Latvia. It underwent occupation under the Nazi Germany regime, and the country became free once more in 1990.

Latvian culture is grounded on strong traditions that can be seen in their folk music and dances, as well as festivals. They speak Latvian language, which belongs to the oldest languages in Europe, and thus it forms an integral part of the national identity. People here have strong bonds with nature and celebrate beauty of their motherland during traditional festivals like Jāņi—a midsummer festival.

Latvia’s medical history reflects its complex political and social changes over the years. In 1918 Latvia became an independent state and started building its health system. In World War II, Latvia was torn apart. The country was invaded by two leading imperial powers, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in sequence, and it damaged healthcare services and increased suffering in the country.

After the war, Latvia once again became a part of the Soviet Union from 1944 to 1990. During this period, healthcare services were centralised with primary health care and disease-preventive services. However, the quality of care often varied or was even poor. Since gaining independence in 1990, Latvia has implemented health care reform. The focus of these efforts was a modernization of hospitals, enhancement of the training system for medical specialists, and a broadening of health care services available to the population.

Latvia is excellent in providing opportunities to get quality dentistry studies, with its top universities and medical schools. Latvian universities provide comprehensive dental education with an emphasis on practical skills and modern medical techniques. These universities offer English-taught programs that are open to international students.

In Latvia, numerous dentistry degree programs are designed to suit both local and foreign students. Among the major degrees offered in Latvia includes a bachelor’s degree in Dentistry, which lasts 3-4 years and sets a student on a career path as a dental hygienist. Moreover, a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery lasts for 5 to 6 years and prepares a student under full clinical practice as a licensed dental practitioner.

The greater part of Latvian dental schools is oriented toward practical work. They provide their students with facilities for research and follow European standards. The institutions offer theoretical knowledge combined with practical experience in well-equipped clinics. These dentistry programs draw students from all over the world because of the affordable cost of tuition in a friendly environment, hence preparing them for highly successful and remunerative careers in the global healthcare sector.