Foundation and Functioning of the College of Dentistry in Osijek

Abstract

In the years after the Second World War, Osijek and Slavonia experienced a significant lack of trained medical personnel, especially dental personnel. A large number of such personnel were of Jewish origin and perished in the persecutions during the war, also a large number of people that were of German origin moved away from Slavonia. In addition to that, a considerable number of trained dental and medical personnel retired after the war, so the situation was very difficult. To improve the state of dental protection of the population, in 1961, the College of Dentistry was established in Osijek. The education lasted two years and was organized into six trimesters, after which the participants obtained the title of the senior dentist. During the ten years of activity at the College of Dentistry in Osijek, there were several hundred students who studied from all parts of the country at the time, but mostly they were from Slavonia. In this way, this educational institution fulfilled its goal. The shortage of trained dental personnel has been reduced and Osijek and Slavonia are catching up with the rest of Croatia in the number of medical personnel. In 1971, the College of Dentistry ceases to operate, transforming into the Polyclinic for the protection of teeth and mouth in Osijek, which continues the tradition of dental protection of the population and training of dental staff.