Prof. Dr Nastaran Meschi has been appointed academic coordinator of the new Dentistry programme at VUB. She will help shape the programme academically and prepare it for its launch in the 2027–28 academic year. With the new programme, VUB aims to help address the shortage of Dutch-speaking dentists in Brussels and the Flemish Rand. The Dentistry programme will be based at the VUB Health Campus in Jette, next to UZ Brussel.
Nastaran Meschi is a clinician, lecturer and researcher specialising in endodontics. She brings extensive experience to VUB. In 2006, she graduated cum laude from VUB as a dentist. In 2012, she obtained a Master of Science in Endodontics from KU Leuven, where she went on to earn a PhD in Biomedical Sciences in 2021. Her doctoral research resulted in numerous scientific publications, contributions to professional textbooks and presentations at international conferences.
Since 2023, Nastaran has been a visiting professor at Ghent University. In 2025, she became a lecturer at Université Libre de Bruxelles. She is also a member of both the research and guidelines committees of the European Society of Endodontology. Alongside her research and teaching, she has continued to work clinically.
Addressing the large number of dentists due to retire
The new Dentistry programme was announced earlier this year by VUB and the Flemish Government. It is being introduced in response to the growing shortage of dentists in Flanders and Brussels. By 2030, an estimated half of the current dental workforce will be over the age of 60, while existing programmes are producing too few graduates to replace them.
The VUB programme will place a strong emphasis on practical experience, innovative teaching methods and collaboration between different healthcare disciplines. Students will come into contact with patients from the early years of their studies and will use advanced simulation and training equipment. In doing so, the university will build on the expertise of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, UZ Brussel and the University Dental Centre in Jette.
Health Valley
The new programme forms part of VUB's broader ambition to further develop the healthcare system in the Flemish Rand and Brussels. VUB, UZ Brussel and the University Dental Centre are working together on an integrated ecosystem bringing education, research, healthcare, innovation and entrepreneurship together. VUB aims to develop its existing Health Campus into a dynamic Health Valley. Within this ecosystem, the university, hospital, university college and innovation partners will work closely together on the healthcare of the future.
VUB Open Day on 30 August
Would you like to find out more about the new Dentistry programme or another course at VUB? On Sunday 30 August, VUB will open its doors at its Etterbeek and Jette campuses for an extensive open day. Visitors can attend information sessions, ask questions of professors and students, explore the campuses and find out about support services such as accommodation, study guidance and financial assistance.
The open day runs from 10am to 3pm. Anyone interested in the new Dentistry programme is also welcome. During the open day, you can find out more about the new programme, which will launch at VUB in the 2027–28 academic year.