In 1921, a dental institute laid the foundation for the Clinic for Dental Medicine of the University of Bern (ZMK Bern). It celebrated its 100th anniversary in the fall of 2022 and is today among the world leaders in its field.
While only 10 students were enrolled in the first year after its founding in 1921, today's Clinic for Dental Medicine (ZMK Bern) trains more than 100 prospective dentists a year and is among the world leaders in its field.
Bernese dentistry is a story of successes. In the beginning, it had to fight for recognition, as it was long considered only a craft. However, the dental institute’s early international orientation led to very successful research and education, and collaboration with the then nascent medical technology industry enabled numerous innovations that benefited patients.
Today, the ZMK consists of five clinics with around 300 employees and is also a major service center in all areas of dentistry. Their research represents one of the focal points of the Medical School's 2030 strategy. In 2021, the ZMK were among the top 10 in the highly regarded "QS World University Ranking" for the fourth time in a row - out of more than 600 competing university dental institutions worldwide.
The ZMK Bern celebrated its anniversary in September 2022 with a ceremony, a book, and a film.
The hallmarks and primary goals of the zmk Bern are competence and quality: the satisfaction and trust of patients and the excellent training of dentists are at the centre of its activities. Great importance is also attached to clinically oriented research, the continuing education of young dentists and the continuing education of colleagues in private practice.