Studyplan Master of Dentistry

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THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN

Studyplan 2006

Master of Dentistry

Approved by The faculty board 28th of November 2006.

English version, May 2007/June 2008

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MASTER’S DEGREE IN DENTISTRY - CURRICULUM..................................................... 4 Goals and Content ...................................................................................................................... 4 Entrance Requirements .............................................................................................................. 4 Learning Outcomes .................................................................................................................... 4 Introductory Topics .................................................................................................................... 6 Subjects and Specialisation ........................................................................................................ 6 Course Schedule......................................................................................................................... 7 Workload in Terms of Credits.................................................................................................... 8 Assessment Forms...................................................................................................................... 8 Grades......................................................................................................................................... 8 Teaching Methods ...................................................................................................................... 9 Assessment ................................................................................................................................. 9 Study Progress Requirements................................................................................................... 10 Place of Study........................................................................................................................... 10 Teaching Languages................................................................................................................. 10 Student Exchanges ................................................................................................................... 10 Career Opportunities ................................................................................................................ 11 Authorisation............................................................................................................................ 11 Qualifications Achieved for Further Studies............................................................................ 11 Responsibility for Completion of the Curriculum.................................................................... 11 Study Trip................................................................................................................................. 13 DESCRIPTION OF COURSES - Master’s Degree in Dentistry............................................. 14 First year................................................................................................................................... 14

Examen Philosophicum........................................................................................................ 14 Medical Nomenclature ......................................................................................................... 16 Medical Statistics ................................................................................................................. 16 Basic Biological Subjects (Biobas) ...................................................................................... 17 Interdisciplinary Introductory Course .................................................................................. 17 Oral Biology (Part 1)............................................................................................................ 18 Clinical Ethics ...................................................................................................................... 18

Second Year ............................................................................................................................. 19 The Structure and Function of the Body .............................................................................. 19 Physiology............................................................................................................................ 19 Anatomy............................................................................................................................... 21 Oral Biology (Part 2)............................................................................................................ 23 Assistance Course for Periodontal Surgery (the Assistance Course)................................... 24 General Pathology and Immunology.................................................................................... 24 Preclinical Courses/Biomaterials (Block Part 1).................................................................. 25 Dental Biomaterials.............................................................................................................. 26

Third year ................................................................................................................................. 27 Integrated Clinical Introductory Course............................................................................... 28 Preclinical Course/Biomaterials (Block Part 2) ................................................................... 29 Endodontics.......................................................................................................................... 30 Oral Pharmacology............................................................................................................... 33 Cariology.............................................................................................................................. 33 Oral Microbiology................................................................................................................ 36 Oral Radiology ..................................................................................................................... 37 Periodontics.......................................................................................................................... 39 Prosthodontics ...................................................................................................................... 42 Odontophobia ....................................................................................................................... 44

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Fourth Year .............................................................................................................................. 46 General Dental Practice........................................................................................................ 47 Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics................................................................................... 51 Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints (The KOS Block) ......................................... 54 Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine .......................................................................................... 56 Pedodontics .......................................................................................................................... 58 Community Dentistry........................................................................................................... 60 Extramural studies (Community Dentistry) ......................................................................... 61 Integrated Master’s Thesis ................................................................................................... 62

Fifth Year ................................................................................................................................. 63 «General Dental Practice».................................................................................................... 64 «Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints»................................................................... 64 «Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine» ...................................................................................... 64 Pedodontics .......................................................................................................................... 64 Community Dentistry........................................................................................................... 65 Extramural Studies (Community Dentistry) ........................................................................ 65 Integrated Master’s Thesis ................................................................................................... 65

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MASTER’S DEGREE IN DENTISTRY - CURRICULUM ”The revised curriculum 2006 - Master’s Degree in Dentistry” meet the requirements that follow from the ”Regulations relating to standards and criteria for accreditation of studies and criteria for the accreditation of institutions in Norwegian higher education” issued by the National Body for Quality in Education on 25 January 2006, the template for curricula at UiB, ”Profile and Competences for the European Dentist” (ADEE November 2004) and the report of the programme auditors (17 February 2006), who assessed dentistal studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in general and the block of subjects under General Dental Practice in particular.

Goals and Content The integrated Master’s degree course in dentistry is a programme of professional study that leads to the Master’s Degree in Dentistry. The course of studies takes five years (300 credits).

The course of studies aims to produce general dental practitioners with broad-based competence who are capable of taking responsibility for oral health in an overall perspective. The course shall also provide candidates with a basis for lifelong learning, specialisation and researcher training.

The dental course aims to provide society with candidates who possess the knowledge, attitudes and skills required to practise dentistry. This means that the tuition should, as far as possible be research-based, professionally updated and adapted to the needs of society and the population in general for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases and conditions.

The studies shall provide a basis continuing education by acquiring knowledge about and understanding of relevant methods.

The integrated Master’s degree course in dentistry at the University of Bergen provides tuition in basic biological subjects (1st and 2nd years), para-clinical subjects (2nd -5th year) and clinical subjects (3rd - 5th year). The contents are primarily aimed at enabling candidates to achieve a level of competence that forms a good basis for embarking on a professional career as a general dental practitioner, researcher or as a clinical specialist.

Entrance Requirements General qualifications for higher education or equivalent prior learning and work experience. In addition, the subjects 2MX/2MY/3MZ + 2FY + 3KJ are required.

Learning Outcomes After completing the Master’s degree course in dentistry, the candidate is expected to have acquired broad basic competence in dentistry. This basic competence consists of theoretical knowledge in bio-medical, para-clinical, clinical and behavioural disciplines as well as practical clinical skills.

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Knowledge

The theoretical tuition is intended to promote a scientific attitude and way of thinking.

After having completed the dental course, the candidate shall, to a specified degree, be familiar with, understand and be able to apply knowledge in bio-medical, para-clinical, clinical and behavioural disciplines that are relevant to dentistry.

Skills

A clinical competence congruent with socity’s and patients’ need for causal dental treatment in general practice requires the candidate to have fundamental theoretical knowledge as the basis for the development of clinical skills. In order to develop clinical skills, the course provides candidates with exposure to as many different patient categories as possible during the course of their studies.

Attitudes

Broad basic competence in dentistry presupposes that candidates develop adequate ethical and professional attitudes during the course of their studies. The ethical and professional practice of dentistry requires empathy, awareness of quality and precision and recognition of the need to maintain and update knowledge and skills throughout one’s whole career.

After completing their studies candidates shall:

(1) Be able to communicate with patients in a manner that enables them to acquire an adequate picture of their medical and dental history

(2) Be able to perform standard visual, technical and manual examinations/ observations, and, on the basis of these observations and the patient’s medical and dental history, be able to write patient records in accordance with regulations and official requirements

(3) Be able to understand, select and interpret data from the fundamental terms, concepts, principles and methods and thereby on the basis of the available patient records be able to:

- Make a complete and correct diagnosis with respect to all the most commonly occurring complaints in the oral cavity and oral manifestations of general medical complaints

- Draw up a complete (causal) treatment plan and prioritise therapy so that the patient’s most urgent treatment needs and wishes are satisfied first, and in a manner that leads to the least possible expense and expenditure of time for the patient

- Communicate with the patient in an understandable manner and be able to present treatment alternatives so that the patient is aware of the extent of the therapy, health consequences and costs, thus enabling him or her to make an informed choice

- Know his or her professional limitations and be able to order supplementary examinations or refer the patient to a specialist, a dentist with specialised competence or other health personnel for further examination or treatment when necessary

(4) Be able to assess the patient’s general health in relation to the planned treatment

(5) Be able to critically judge, assess and apply modern preventive and therapeutic agents and materials based on scientific principles

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(6) Be able to carry out preventive and therapeutic procedures for individual patients in general practice, including fully adequate treatment of known carriers of disease. For further specification of clinical competence (attitudes, specific professional knowledge and skills) see the descriptions of individual subjects.

(7) Be able to demonstrate effective preventive measures, e.g. of a hygienic or nutritional nature, and motivate the patient in manner that will make him or her comply

(8) Be able to master different acute situations that may arise during dental treatment

(9) Be able to keep patient records, to quality assure and evaluate the effect of treatment and critically assess whether follow-up treatment is required

(10) Ensure that patients entitled to refund/grant-in-aid from public or private institutions are made aware of it and that they receive advice and necessary assistance to document their rightful claim

(11) be able to manage a general dental practice (public and private) and organise, manage and stimulate cooperation with dental health personnel and, if relevant, other personnel in such a manner that the patients’ interests, both dental and financial, but also the interests and job satisfaction of personnel, are attended to in compliance with applicable statutory requirements

The Dental Health Team

In order for work at a dental clinic to be carried out professionally and efficiently, the clinic must have personnel with complementary competence. It is becoming more and more common for a dentist, dental hygienist and dental chairside assistant to make the dental health team. The dentist will normally be the leader of the team. As far as possible, the dentist’s time should be devoted to treating patients.

The main duties of a dental hygienist are health-promotion and disease prevention. Most of his or her working hours are spent at the clinic but outreach activities are also part of the dental hygienist’s duties. The dental chairside assistant has many and varied duties that are essential for ensuring good patient treatment and the efficient running of the clinic.

The dentist must be capable of implementing a well-thought-out division of labour that results in optimal use of resources, the best possible result and thereby probably increased job satisfaction.

Introductory Topics Introductory topics are examen philosophicum, and nomenclature (Latin terminology). Through examen philosophicum students learn about the history of philosophy, the philosophy of science and logic, with a view to developing a scientific and critical thinking concerning fundamental medical and dental issues. Nomenclature introduces students to Latin medical terminology.

Subjects and Specialisation Students who are admitted to the integrated Master’s degree course in dentistry must follow a mandatory curriculum and take the subjects included in it at all times. The exception to this

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rule is the written fourth-year project assignment, the topic for which the students can largely choose themselves.

Course Schedule The curriculum for the integrated Master’s degree in dentistry is designed so that students have to follow a fixed schedule and take exams at set times thoughout the course.

First Year:

The first year is common for dental and medical students who are taught fundamental medical and dental topics of chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and cell biology (basic biology subjects). Other subjects are medical nomenclature (specialised Latin terminology), examen philosophicum, medical statistics and oral biology part 1. Medical statistics is part of the integrated Master’s thesis. The students are also introduced to clinical subjects and the student clinic at the Department of Clinical Dentistry.

Second Year:

In their second year, students are taught anatomy, physiology and oral biology part 2. Integrated tuition in dental biomaterials and the preclinical course in cariology starts in the spring semester. Tuition is also given in general pathology and immunology, microbiology and oral biology part 2. Tuition starts in dental radiographic diagnostics and in an introductory clinical course.

Third Year:

A lot of the teaching in the third year consists of training in manual skills, in which integration of paraclinical and clinical subjects is in focus. The treatment of patients starts and considerable attention is paid to clinical procedures, hygiene, communication with patients, examinations, planning of treatment, local anaesthetics and the regulations pertaining to patient records. Preclinical courses continue with prosthodontics, and subject-specific clinical teaching starts in periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics and cariology. Teaching continues in dental radiographic diagnostics, dental biomaterials and the introductory clinical course. Tuition is also given in pharmacology.

Fourth Year:

Subject-specific teaching continues in periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics and cariology. Tuition starts in orthodontics and facial orthopedics, oro-maxillo-facial diseases and complaints, oral surgery and oral medicine, pedodontics, community dentistry and general dental pracitice.

At the beginning of their fourth year, students start work on their assignments, which are part of the integrated Master’s thesis.

Fifth Year:

At the start of their fifth year, students complete three weeks of extramural training at Norwegian Public Dental Service clinics.

Tuition in orthodontics and facial orthopedics, oral surgery and oral medicine, oro-maxillo-facial diseases and complaints, community dentistry, pedodontics, dental radiographic diagnostics and general dental practice continues in the fifth year. Work on the integrated Master’s thesis continues and is concluded. Tuition in the major clinical subjects is coordinated under the general dental practice block, i.e. stomatognathic physiology,

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endodontics, gerodontology, cariology, periodontics and prosthodontics. Other subjects which contribute to the course in general dental practice are: pharmacology, orthodontics and facial orthopedics, dental biomaterials, dental radiographic diagnostics, oral surgery and oral medicine.

Workload in Terms of Credits The Master’s degree in dentistry amounts to 300 credits. The course workload is evenly distributed over the five years.

A week’s work including mandatory tuition, seminars and self-study/ independent work corresponds to approximately 40 hours = 1.5 credits.

For a detailed breakdown of credits, see Table 2 “Assessment Forms and Credits”.

Assessment Forms Quality assurance of the students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, professional understanding and ability to interact with patients is continually assessed during the course of the studies. Written and oral exams, mandatory submission of written assignments, tests stipulated in the curriculum and internal tests are used to quality assure students’ competence.

Internal tests can be organised by the subject area at short notice, but they have no consequences for the student in terms of study progress in relation to the normal length of studies in the event that the grade “not approved” is given. Internal tests are followed up by a review together with the students which acts as feedback. Tests stipulated in the curriculum are held in cooperation with the faculty. They may have consequences for the student’s study progression in the event that the grade “Fail” is given, see “Supplementary regulations to the regulations for degree studies at the University of Bergen – the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry”.

A student card showing the student’s patient-related treatment will accompany the student in general dental practice subject areas. The student card shows the student’s study progress in relation to qualitative and quantitative learning requirements.

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry uses external examiners for final written exams. The use of external examiners ensures the quality of the studies and safeguards the students’ legal rights. An exam commission consists of one internal and one external examiner. External examiners are appointed by the faculty board for four years at a time. Internal examiners are used for tests stipulated in the curriculum.

Appeal arrangements and the possibility of resitting an exam or a test in the event of failure are described in detail in “Regulations for degree studies at the University of Bergen – the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry” and in “Supplementary regulations to the regulations for degree studies at the University of Bergen - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry”.

Grades On 31 January 2006 (item 05/06) the faculty board decided to introduce the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System) with alphabetical grades from A to F (where F is a fail) for theoretical exams.

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- The graded ECTS scale apply to dentistry with effect for students who commenced studies in 2006 and finish their course in 2011.

- The assessment Passed/ Failed will still be used for assessment of clinical service and tests stipulated in the curriculum.

- The project assignment which is part of the integrated Master’s degree thesis will be assessed as Passed or Failed.

Teaching Methods Teaching methods vary between subjects and blocks of subjects. Normal teaching methods consist of lectures, problem-based learning assignments, written and oral presentations, laboratory courses, using various kinds of tools, including ICT with special software, and work in small groups. The bulk of the teaching in the last part of the studies is practical/preclinical/clinical. One of the main goals of this teaching is to integrate attitudes and theoretical knowledge with training in manual skills. Teaching forms in the clinic include individual supervision, supervision in small groups and seminars with a clinical orientation. Individual supervision is necessary in order to satisfy preclinical/clinical learning requirements.

Assessment Students play an active part in the evaluation of courses. The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry sends students electronic questionnaires each semester. The questionnaires contain relevant questions about students’ perception of study facilities, theoretical teaching and clinical teaching/ service. All topics are evaluated every other year. The results are presented to the Study Committee and passed on to the subject areas. Those responsible/ subject teachers are required to follow up relevant feedback and for reporting. The Vice Dean for academic affairs produces an overall appraisal each semester based on the reports from the subject areas. Some subject areas also evaluate their own teaching using questionnaires.

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry has introduced a system involving external programme auditors for its undergraduate couses (faculty board item 26/05). Four-year agreements are signed with the programme auditors.

The programme auditors shall:

- evaluate the overall standard of the course of studies compared with corresponding courses at other European universities, and whether the exam and assessment systems that are used are reasonable and practised fairly in relation to the students

- comment on and give advice about the contents, combinations, structure and assessment forms used in the programme

- comment on proposals for final exam assignments

- if relevant, take part in assessing the exam performance of a selection of students

- be present in the academic environment at least once a year to discuss current matters and more principal issues concerning the assessment of students’ performance

- take part in the more extensive programme evaluation that takes place every four years (see section 4.2 in the Handbook for Quality Assurance of University Studies)

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Programme auditors shall focus on various aspects and issues of the faculty’s undergraduate studies in consultation with the faculty. Programme auditors submit an annual report.

Study Progress Requirements Most subjects in the course have mandatory tuition. Students must have attended the mandatory tuition and the tests stipulated in the curriculum must be passed before students can proceed with clinical service or sit the exams. In laboratory teaching, the courses must be approved, and in clinical service there are both mandatory tuition and qualitative and quantitative requirements that must be satisfied. The various subject areas/ blocks have specified requirements for attendance at mandatory tuition and qualitative and quantitative requirements based on professional criteria.

For further information about the formal requirements for study progress, see “Supplementary regulations to the regulations for degree studies at the University of Bergen – the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry”.

Applications for short leaves of abscence are considered by the subject area, see “Guidelines for short periods of leave of abscence”.

Place of Study The Faculty of Medicine has administrative and academic responsibility for teaching in the subjects: medical nomenclature, medical statistics, basic biology subjects (BioBas), physiology, anatomy and oral biology. These subjects and Examen Philosophicum are taught from the first to the fourth semester and teaching takes place in the Building for Basic Biological Subjects (the BB building), Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen.

Teaching in general pathology and immunology takes place in teaching premises at Haukeland University Hospital. The laboratory courses in oral microbiology and immunology are held in the BB building at Haukeland University Hospital.

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is administratively and academically responsible for the remaining theoretical paraclinical and clinical teaching, and teaching largely takes place at Årstadveien 17, 5009 Bergen. Clinical teaching takes place at the student clinic.

Part of the clinical teaching in gerodontology takes place at Kalfaret dental clinic.

Teaching Languages Teaching takes place in Norwegian or a Nordic language, with a certain amount in English.

The syllabus is presented in a Nordic language or English.

Student Exchanges Through periods of study at foreign universities students are given an opportunity to experience academic environments different from their own. In the dentistry course, exchanges are possible in the eighth and ninth semesters when students relatively independently can treat patients who need uncomplicated treatment. The period of study

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abroad is three months. The exchange period must obtain formal recognition before departure on the basis of recommendations from the subject areas, and as part of the course of study.

As of November 2006, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry had exchange agreements with the following institutions:

- University of Minnesota, USA

- Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

- The School of Dentistry, Copenhagen, Denmark

- Helsinki University, Finland

- Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden

- Tandlægeskolen (School of Dentistry) in Reykjavik, Iceland

- Charitè Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany

The student adviser can provide further information about the exchange agreements. The deadlines for applying for an exchange in the next semester are 15 September (1 September for Minnesota) and 15 February.

Career Opportunities The profession of dentistry is very challenging. Most dentists work in private practice or in the public dental health service. Some work in teaching, research and administration.

Authorisation A candidate who has completed the programme of professional study in dentistry (Master of Dentistry) must apply for authorisation in order to practise as a dentist in the EU/EEA area. Authorisation is granted by the Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personnel (SAFH), P.O. Box 8053 Dep., 0031 Oslo. The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry cooperates with SAFH to obtain the documentation that is required for authorisation.

Qualifications Achieved for Further Studies After completion of degree studies (Master’s in Dentistry) it is possible to apply for vacancies for research fellows (PhD), or, after two years’ clinical practice, for admission to special/specialist programmes in dentistry. Holders of the Master’s Degree in Dentistry may also be qualifed for further higher education at universities and university colleges in Norway and abroad.

Responsibility for Completion of the Curriculum The programme of professional study in dentistry belongs to the Faculty of Medcince and Dentistry at the University of Bergen. The academic teaching staff is employed by the Department of Oral Sciences. Preclinical subjects are taught and administered by the Faculty of Medicine.

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Responsibility for completion of the curriculum has been delegated to the Study Committee with support from the faculty’s division for study administration. In cooperation with the Dental Clinic and the Faculty of Medicine (preclinical subjects), the subject areas are responsible for the quality of the education offered.

The Study Committee

The Faculty Board is the supreme government body of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The Study Committee is appointed by the Faculty Board as an advisory body. Pursuant to section 1 of its remit, the Study Committee has “principal responsibility for ensuring that curricula are in accordance with the objective for the course of studies and that teaching is to carried out according to the current curriculum. The committee is empowered to carry out changes in curricula that do not require the regulations to be changed. Furthermore, the committee is responsible for coordinating different subject areas in order to ensure the efficient use of teaching staff” (remit enclosed). The Study Committee is chaired by the Vice Dean for academic affairs and its composition is representative and broadly based.

Responsibility for Subject Areas

The Faculty Board appoints a chairperson for each subject area for a period of three years. The appointed person is responsible for subject-specific theoretical and practical teaching.

The chairperson’s qualification and responsibilities are as follows:

- Member of the academic staff

- Appointed by the Faculty Board for a period of three years

- Is responsibility for the teaching of students in the Bachelor’s degree studies for dental hygienists in the subject

- Is responsibility for the teaching of students in the Master’s degree studies in dentistry in the subject

- Is responsibility for the teaching of specialist candidates in the subject

- Is responsibility for the professional content of treatment at subject-specific clinics

- Is responsibility for assessing clinical service

- Is responsibility for arranging exams and tests in the subject in accordance with the curriculum

Blocks and Block Managers

Many of the subjects taught in the dental curriculum are integrated with other subjects into blocks. In subjects administered by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the Faculty Board appoints block managers nominated by the chairpersons responsible for the subjects.

Basic Biological Subjects

- The Structure and Function of the Body

- Preclincal courses/Biomaterials (Cariology, Dental Biomaterials and Prosthodontics)

- Oro-Maxillo-Facial Disease and Complaints (Pharmacology, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Oral Radiography Diagnosis and Oral Pathology)

- General Dental Practice (Periodontics, Cariology, Prosthodontics and Endodontics, Gerodontology, Oral Radiography Diagnosis)

The requirements for and responsibilities of block managers are as follows,

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- The block manager is a member of the academic staff, but shall not concurrently have the role of person responsible for a subject.

- The block manager is proposed by the members of the block committee (the persons responsible for subjects).

- Appointed by the faculty board for a period of three years

- Convenes and chairs meetings of the block committee

- Is responsibility the coordination of theoretical and practical teaching in the block, including staffing of the clinic, if relevant

- Is responsibility assessing clinical service

- Is responsibility ensuring that teaching takes place in accordance with the current curriculum

- Is responsibility arranging block exams and tests in the

Dental Clinic

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry bases the education it offers and its clinical research on the running of its own clinic for outpatient treatment. The dental clinic is a university clinic with high teaching and clinical competence, and is one of the largest in the country.

The clinic consists of two main parts: the student clinic and the specialist clinic. In the student clinic, patients are accepted who, following an examination and assessment are found suitable for clinical teaching purposes. The patients are informed about the procedures at the student clinic and are required to give their consent. Treatment takes place in accordance with a pre-defined plan and under the supervision of clinical teaching staff. The bulk of the students’ clinical tuition and training in skills in patient treatment takes place in the fourth and fifth year at the student clinic.

The Study Division at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

The study division is responsible for scheduling tuition and drawing up semester plans. General information about courses and tuition is made available on the student web site “My Space”.

The division for study administration acts as the secretariat for and prepares matters for consideration by the Study Committee, contributes to the development of curricula, regulations, and the quality of courses. Other tasks include considering applications for leave of absence, exemption from subjects/courses, exam appeals and special arrangements for exams. Moreover, it plans and organises exams and administers exchange stays etc. Student counsellors are available to advise students and to provide practical assistance.

The Faculty of Medicine

In cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the Faculty of Medicine has academic and administrative responsibility for large parts of the teaching of dental students during the first three semesters (preclinical studies).

Study Trip Students may be granted leave for a study trip of up to one week's duration during their studies. In order to ensure continuity of treatment any study trip must be take place before the

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eighth semester and during the week when the Norwegian Dental Association holds its national conference.

The students must present a well-thought-out academic programme for the study trip before permission may be granted. Students write a report about what they learn from their academic programme. The report is presented to the Study Committee shortly after returning home.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES - Master’s Degree in Dentist ry

First year At the end of the first year, the candidate should have acquired knowledge about the history of philosophy, the philosophy of science, logic, medical nomenclature, chemistry/biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology, molecular biology, medical statistics and dental anatomy. Through interdisciplinary lectures and introductory courses, the candidate should have acquired a preliminary overview of what the different dental subject areas do. The candidates should also have learnt how to obtain information and use ICT aids.

Below is a presentation of the individual courses and what students are expected to learn during their first year:

# Basic Biological Subjects (Biobas)

# Examen Philosophicum

# Medical Nomenclature

# Medical Statistics

# Oral Biology (Part 1)

Examen Philosophicum Contents

The Examen philosophicum consists of two parts, Exphil-alfa and Exphil-beta.

The goal of Exphil-alfa is to provide an introduction to some of the main aspects of Ancient philosophy and modern Western philosophy without pretending to cover the history of philosophy exhaustively. In the first part, the general focus is on ontology and epistemology, and the subject matter is structured with a view to its link with medical thinking through the ages (topics 1 and 2, approx. 5 seminars/ lectures). The second half focuses on two philosophical issues of particular relevance, namely the relationship between body and soul, and the concept of normality.

The goal of Exphil-beta is to provide a thematic introduction to fundamental aspects of and fundamental issues relating to the sciences on which medicine and dentistry are based. Both classic and more recent topical issues relating to medical and health-related activity necessitate various forms of philosophical endeavour, at the same time as the philosophical tradition often proves to be an adequate tool for understanding medical and health-related issues. This part of Exphil will therefore often approach philosophical issues by way of medical or health-related examples.

The Faculty of Arts is responsible for the course and sets the syllabus.

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Expected Learning Outcomes

The Examen philosophicum aims to give students at the University of Bergen an introduction to the university’s intellectual traditions and to the ways of thinking, working and writing it employs. Exphil is intended to provide an principal philosophical perspective on academic culture and education. The medical and dental version of the course teaches students about the philosophical, and to some extent also the historical, foundation of medicine and health subjects, both through philosophy of science-based analysis of practice and research in these subjects and through the study of key contributions to Western philosophy which have been relevant to the practising of medicine.

Form of teaching

Examen philosophicum may be obtained either by following the “seminar model” or the “exam model”.

The seminar model consists of:

- 2 x 2 hours of lectures per week for 9 weeks

- 2 x 2 hours of seminars per week for 9 weeks

- Individual academic supervision in connection with writing a seminar assignment for each of the two part courses

Students who choose the seminar model are assigned to a seminar group. The seminar group is the same for both the two part-courses. Each seminar group has its own leader who is responsible for teaching and supervision.

Assessment Form for the Seminar Model

If you choose the seminar model, there is no written exam. On the other hand, you are required to write an assignment for each part-course during the semester. These written assignments are collected in a folder and assessed as the student’s exam work. The following work requirements must be satisfied during the semester for the folder to be assessed.

Students who follow the seminar model must:

- take part in at least 75% of the seminars in each part-course. This means that absence in excess of two seminar sessions in each part-course, irrespective of the reason, will result in the folder not being assessed.

- attend individual supervision appointments

- make an oral presentation in each seminar sequence

- submit a seminar assignment of approx. 1,500 words in each part-course

- take part in a 45-minute broad-based test at the end of each part-course (“multiple choice”). Both part-courses must be passed.

It is not possible to transfer satisfied work requirements from one semester to the next.

b) The exam model consists of:

- 2 x 2 hours of lectures per week for 9 weeks.

Tuition in the two models may be spread throughout the semester in different ways.

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Assessment Form

If you choose the exam model, you only have to attend lectures. These are the same lectures as attended by students following the seminar model. Attendance is not recorded.

The exam model concludes with a four-hour written exam towards the end of the semester. The written exam consists of analytical questions in the two part-courses that make up Examen philosophicum. Both part-courses must be passed.

Medical Nomenclature Contents

Medical nomenclature consists of tuition in basic Latin. Mastery of Latin nomenclature is a precondition for learning the principles underlying the structure of medical expressions.

Expected learning outcomes

Candidates should acquire good knowledge of Latin/medical nomenclature.

Tuition

The tuition takes the form of lectures during the first part of the first semester.

Assessment form

A two-hour written exam is held in the middle of the semester and a grade of Passed/Failed awarded.

Medical Statistics Contents

Statistics is the science of collecting, describing and analysing numerical data that have an element of random variation.


Candidates should acquire knowledge about descriptive and inductive statistics necessary for them to carry out a critical assessment of the use of statistics in medical/dental research/literature.

Candidates should be able to describe a collection of observations, both numerically and graphically, be familiar with the principles for estimation and the testing of hypotheses, be able to calculate p-values and confidence intervals, and to interpret them in simple standard situations.

Teaching and Quality Assurance

Tuition is largely in the form of lectures. An important part of tuition is the assignments which students must solve on their own and through group work.

Tuition concludes with a two-hour written exam for which grades from A to F are awarded.

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Basic Biological Subjects (Biobas) Contents

The “BioBas” block consists of topics from chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology and molecular biology.


Candidates should acquire fundamental knowledge about the development, structure and function of cells and the organisation of different tissues, as well as knowledge about cellular regulatory mechanisms.

On completion of Biobas, candidates should be able to explain:

− The development, structure and differentiation of cells

− The basic chemistry of the cells based on general and organic chemistry

− The building blocks, structure, synthesis and function of the cells

− Cell membranes and the transport system

− Energy conversion in cells

− The nucleus of the cell and basic genetic mechanisms

− The regulation of genetic expression with emphasis on transcription and translation

− The surface and cytoskeleton of the cell and cell movement

− Cellular regulatory mechanisms

− The cells’ organisation in tissue

− Fundamental biology of human development

− Cell division and cell death

− Cancer


Tuition consists of lectures, tutorials, question sessions, diagnostic tests (organised problem solving), laboratory courses, meetings with tutors, partial access to lecture notes via the internet, contact with tutors via e-mail and an electronic bulletin board.

Laboratory and histology courses and approved records are compulsory.

An integrated six-hour exam is held towards the end of the second semester in the first year. ECTS grades from A to F.

Interdisciplinary Introductory Course Contents

The course is intended to give students an introduction to oral diseases, their diagnosis and treatment, and to contribute to strengthening the students’ contact with and affiliation to dentistry.


The candidate should:

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− become familiar with clinical service as a tuition form

− learn about the most common oral diseases, their diagnosis and treatment

− strengthen contact with dentistry


Tuition consists of lectures and an introductory clinical course (5 sessions, 2 of which at the Children’s Dental Health Clinic).

Oral Biology (Part 1) Oral biology is taught in two parts. The first part is scheduled during the first year, and the second part during the second year.

Contents

Oral biology consists of a syllabus and tuition in the following topics:

− detailed anatomy of deciduous teeth and permanent teeth

− root canal anatomy

− occlusion and articulation


Candidates should be able to give a detailed description of normal crown and root anatomy of the deciduous and permanent teeth, and be familiar with root canal anatomy. In addition, candidates should be able to explain the basic principles of occlusion and articulation. Detailed knowledge about teeth and the masticatory organ is a fundamental element in tuition in many clinical subjects and it provides candidates with the background required to interpret radiographs, design fillings and prosthetic replacements correctly and to recognise teeth with normal and atypical anatomy.


Tuition takes the form of lectures and practical exercises in dental anatomy during which students work in groups attempting to identify teeth. The students keep course records that are submitted and corrected. The practical course is compulsory and attendance records are kept. A one-hour test is held in the identification of teeth.

Oral biology part 1 finishes with a test stipulated in the curriculum.

Part 1 of the course must be approved before the candidate can take part 2.

Students are encouraged to submit term reports with their opinions of the teaching programme in Oral biology.

Clinical Ethics The description of the topic is under production.

Evaluation is integrated into the BioBas exam.

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Second Year During the second year, the candidate is expected to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in anatomy, physiology and general pathology including immunology, as well as basic knowledge and skills in Preclinical courses /Biomaterials (cariology) and clinical assistance during periodontal surgery.

Subjects

# Anatomy

# Physiology

# General Pathology

# Immunology

# Cariology

# Dental Biomaterials

# Oral Biology (Part 2)

# Oral Microbiology

# Periodontics

The Structure and Function of the Body The candidate is expected to acquire knowledge in human biology, development, anatomy and oral biology, physiology and nutrition, and detailed knowledge of the development, structure and function of the masticatory organ, the oral cavity and the adjoining areas. This knowledge is basic to the understanding of deviation from normal development, structure, function and development of disease.

Teaching in the block of subjects “The Structure and Function of the Body” is divided into courses in Oral Biology, Anatomy and Physiology. Oral Biology part 1 is described under the first year.

Physiology Contents

The physiology section consists of a syllabus and tuition in the following topics:

- Basic neurophysiology

- Sensory physiology

- Pain

- Muscle control

- Complex brain functions

- Muscles

- Blood cells and the body’s defence mechanism

- Autonomic nervous system

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- Cardiovascular physiology

- Respiration

- Occupational physiology

- Body temperature

- Acid base balance

- Renal physiology

- Salt/water balance

- Reproduction

- Nutrition


The principal objective in physiology is for candidates to acquire the competence necessary to enable them to define the basic physiological concepts, explain the mechanisms regulating the various functions of the body and how the regulatory mechanisms can restore equilibrium and function after a disruption of the equilibrium of a physiological system. Moreover, the candidate should learn to describe the physiological background to clinical problems and the background to physiological problems as they are presented in the scientific literature.

Knowledge

The candidates shall be able to explain:

- the principles of how physiological changes in the surrounding environment create action potentials in the nervous system and are perceived as sense impressions. The candidate shall be familiar with the main features of the physiology of the visual, auditory, balance, gustatory and olfactory organs.

- the neurophysiological basis of pain perception and pain modulation, and be familiar with the variations in the pain reaction and possible causes of this

- the function of the muscle spindles, the gamma/alpha loop and the difference between the static and dynamic gamma receptors. They should be familiar with spinal reflexes and how muscle tone is regulated. They should know a little about the fact that the control systems in the brain (basal ganglia, cerebellum, cortex cerebri) control the function of the muscles.

- complex brain functions

- the structure of the muscle cell and the mechanism of muscle contraction

- blood cells and the mechanism of blood coagulation, as well as the blood cells’ function in relation to immunity

- function changes, sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of glands, veins, the heart, lungs, trachea, the gastrointestinal tract, eyes and reproductive organs. Students should know the principles of how drugs affect the transmission and function of the autonomic nervous system and the organs and organ systems innervated by it.

- the basic functioning mechanisms of the heart and the peripheral circulation. They should be able to explain the regulation of blood flow and pressure in the circulatory system as a whole and in relation to the transport needs of individual organs.

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- perfusion and ventilation in various sections of the lungs, ventilation regulation, gas transport and gas exchange in lungs and tissues

- the mechanisms of body temperature homeostasis

- the functional structure of the kidney and its importance as an excretion organ and as regulator of the body’s acid-base ratio, water and electrolyte balance. Students should be familiar with the regulation of the kidney function under varying physiological conditions.

- the body’s various fluid phases and their composition. They should be able to explain the factors that create disturbances in the salt/water balance and how the body normalises it.

- the individual endocrine glands and their hormones, and the hormones’ functioning mechanism in homeostasis

- the normal development and control of the ovarian and testis functions, the effect of sexual stimulation in the two sexes, fertilisation, and knowledge of the birth mechanism and the lactation mechanisms

- the most important nutrition-related health problems in the population. The development of the Norwegian diet, assessing the health consequences of the composition of the diet, and the absorption, transport, conversion and functions of the nutrients. Nutrition policy objectives and strategies.

Skills:

The students should understand and be able to use simple apparatus for physiological measurements.


Teaching takes the form of lectures, compulsory laboratory courses, group work including presentations by student under the supervision of a teacher. Study groups with student assistance are also used.

The courses are compulsory and attendance is recorded. The students keep course records which must be approved before they can entre their final exam.

The students are encouraged to assess the teaching programme in physiology and to submit term reports. The teaching staff also conducts individual evaluations of their teaching.

There is a three-hour written exam in physiology.

Anatomy Contents

The emphasis is on the candidate learning the normal anatomical structure and development of the head and neck. In addition, the student will acquire knowledge of the development, anatomy and histology of the human organ systems. The syllabus and teaching in macroscopic and microscopic anatomy and embryology includes the following topics:

The anatomical and histological structure of

- the central and peripheral nervous systems

- the visual, auditory, olfactory and balance organs

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- the heart and circulatory system

- the lymphatic system

- the respiratory system

- the digestive system

- the urinary system

- the endocrine system

In addition, the development of some organ systems is taught.

The development, regional and functional anatomy of the head and neck is taught in detail

- the face, base of the skull and the flat skull bones

- the muscles of mastication, mimic, tongue and throat

- autonomic and sensory innervation

- the cranial nerves and ganglia

- vascular supply: arteries, veins

- the lymphatic system

- oral and nasal cavities

- sinuses

- the soft and hard palate

- the pharynx and larynx

- the salivary glands

- the mandibular joint

- selected topographical areas


The principal objective for the teaching of human anatomy and cell biology is for the candidate to acquire competence and be able to explain the normal development and structure of the organ systems in the body as the basis for understanding normal function and development of diseases in humans. The candidate should be able to explain in detail the normal development and anatomy of the head and neck and be able to use this information to identify deviations from the norm, interpret radiographic findings and provide background for clinical problems and the performance of surgery.


The teaching in macroscopic anatomy takes the form of lectures, demonstrations and dissection courses. Study groups with teacher assistance are also used. The histology teaching takes the form of lectures and microscopy courses. The candidates keep course records that must be approved before the final exam is taken. Dissection courses, demonstrations and the histology course are compulsory. Attendance records will be kept.

The students are encouraged to submit term reports giving their assessment of the teaching for the anatomy part of the block of subjects called “The Structure and Function of the Body”.

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There is a three-hour written exam in anatomy, embryology, histology and cell biology. In addition, the candidate takes a practical test in anatomy or histology. The evaluation of the exams is by an external and an internal.

Oral Biology (Part 2)

In the block of subjects called Oral Biology, the candidate is expected to acquire detailed histological knowledge of the development, structure and function of the masticatory organ, the oral cavity and the adjoining areas. This knowledge will form the basis for the candidate’s ability to prevent the development of disease, diagnose deviation from normal and understand the development of diseases in these tissues.

Contents

Oral Biology consists of a syllabus and tuition in the following topics:

- the development of the dental lamina, the crown and root of the tooth, and its connective tissue

- differentiation of tooth-specific cells - odontoblasts, ameloblasts and cementoblasts

- dentinogenesis

- amelogenesis

- cementogenesis

- the histological structure of dentine, enamel and cementum

- the dentine-pulp complex

- innervation and vascular supply of teeth and their connective tissue

- theories of dental pain, pain pathways from the teeth

- nervous regulation of the blood flow in the dental pulp

- the anatomical and histological structure of the periodontium

- the histological structure of the oral mucosa in different parts of the oral cavity

- the structure of taste buds

- the sense of taste, taste pathways

- the histological structure of salivary glands

- the physiology of salivary glands

- tooth eruption

- tooth eruption chart for deciduous and permanent teeth

- exfoliation

- the histological structure of the mandibular joint


The candidate is expected to acquire the competence necessary to enable him to define basic concepts of oral biology, explain in detail the anatomical and histological structure and function of the tissues of the oral cavity and adjoining areas, be familiar with the development of the tissues and be able to use the acquired knowledge in connection with diagnostics, the development of diseases, developmental anomalies, the prevention of disease, and clinical

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interventions. In addition, the candidate should learn to describe the anatomical, histological and physiological background to clinical problems and possess the skills required to acquire information from the scientific literature concerning oral biology and physiological subjects.

The candidate should be able to give a detailed presentation of normal development and anatomy, and the histological structure of teeth, the supporting tissue, oral mucosa in different parts of the mouth, salivary glands and adjoining tissue areas, as well as normal innervation and vascular supply for teeth and tooth-supporting tissues. In addition, candidates should know the time scale for the development and eruption of deciduous and permanent teeth. Examples are also given of typical developmental anomalies of the mastication apparatus and the oral tissues. Tuition includes lectures in oral physiology, at which the students will acquire basic knowledge of the function of salivary glands, the physiology of the pulp and dental pains. Detailed knowledge of oral biology is fundamental to the understanding of the normal development, structure and function of the tissues, the development of disease and pain from oral tissues and the face, as well as the prevention of disease in these tissues.


Part 1 of the course must be completed before the candidate can take Part 2.

Teaching takes the form of lectures and a microscopy course. The students keep course records that are submitted and corrected. These records must be approved before students can take the final exam. The microscopy course is compulsory and attendance will be recorded.

The students are encouraged to submit term reports stating their opinion of the teaching programme in oral biology.

The subject is concluded with a four-hour written exam in Oral biology. An external examiner will be used in addition to the subject teacher for the evaluation of the exams.

Assistance Course for Periodontal Surgery (the Assi stance Course) «The Assistance Course» is held to enable second-year students to assistant during third, fourth and fifth year students periodontal surgery.

General Pathology and Immunology Contents

The subject includes the study of disease processes in general, how they manifest themselves in the organs, the structure, function and reaction mechanisms of the immune system, how a compromised immune response results in reduced protection against infections and can lead to tumour development and autoimmune disease, how immunological overreaction causes hypersensitivity (allergy), and how diseases can be diagnosed using standard pathological methods. The immunology part emphasises basic principles, using as examples diseases and clinical symptoms that are relevant to dentists.


Knowledge

The candidate should be able to explain:

- the basic biological/immunological mechanisms behind the development of disease

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- the importance of the immune system to the body’s defence against infection and consequences of immune failure and immunological overreaction

- diagnostic methods in pathology and immunology and be able to apply them to relevant organs and tissues of the body

- the basic morphological features (macroscopic and microscopic) of relevant disease processes

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

- identify pathological changes in an organ

- use a microscope in immunological examinations

Attitudes

The candidate shall:

- develop respect for the human body

- develop respect for patients’ diseases

- understand the importance of the duty of confidentiality regarding the patient’s medical history

- view the oral cavity as part of the body

- develop curiosity about mechanisms behind the development of disease


Tuition includes lectures, demonstrations and a microscopy course as well as a laboratory course in immunology for which a record must be submitted for approval by the subject teacher.

Learning materials will be made available on the student portal. Two-way communication between teacher and students will take place via the student portal.

The students are given the opportunity to submit a home assignment for approval by and feed-back from the teacher.

The subject is concluded with a four-hour written exam in the fourth semester.

Preclinical Courses/Biomaterials (Block Part 1) The subject areas of cariology, dental biomaterials and prosthodontics cooperate on tuition in part 1 of the block. The first part of the block consists of prebasic cariology (direct restorations)/ biomaterials and is taught at the end of the second year. In the first part of the third year, the second part of the block is taught. It contains basic prosthodontics/biomaterials.

Contents (basic cariology/biomaterials)

In the second year, basic courses in cariology, dental biomaterials and topics relating to different types of direct restoration are taught.

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After completing the first part of the course, the student should be familiar with the basic principles of cavity preparation, plastic filling materials and the filling of teeth. Students will be given opportunities to practise manual skills and thereby prepare for the clinical work.

After having completed Part 1 of the block, the student is expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills in cariology and dental biomaterials necessary to entre the clinical part of the course.

Knowledge

The student should be able to explain:

− the principles and methods for direct restorations

− hand instruments and rotating instruments

− the effect of different preparation instruments on dental hard tissues

− handling of the dental materials used during the course

Skills

The student is expected to have developed manual skills preparation for the treatment of patients in the clinic.

Attitudes

Through dexterity training, the student is expected to have acquired a positive and self-critical attitude towards technical quality.


The teaching programme includes lectures, seminars, demonstrations and work on models. Preclincal teaching/practise is compulsory.

The prebasic cariology part of the course (Block Part 1) is concluded with a theoretical test. The practical work is approved on completion and assessed together at the end of the course. Both the theoretical test and the practical work must be approved before the student can begin treating patients in the clinic.

Dental Biomaterials Contents

Dental biomaterials is the field of study that deals with the materials and production methods used in dentistry to restore function or prevent damage from occuring. General chemical and physical factors and concepts are considered, as are biological aspects, including the interaction between living tissue and artificial materials. Formal aspects relating to the production and use of dental biomaterials are also taught.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of their studies, candidates are expected to have acquired knowledge about the concepts used, about concrete materials and processes, biological interaction between artificial materials and the body, local as well as general biological mechanisms, and the factors that form the basis for the assessment and choice of materials and technology in relation to the individual patient and the health service. Furthermore, the candidate should

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have acquired specific skills in the choice of materials and obtaining of information from manufacturers and suppliers, and have developed a conscious attitude to legislation and current information from the authorities.

Knowledge


− the concepts of dental biomaterials

− the structure, composition, reactions and properties of relevant biomaterials

− temporary and permanent dental restorative materials for direct and indirect techniques

− materials used in the production of restorations or other components used in treatment or prevention

− methods for the preparation of restorative materials for use in, and the production of such components

− materials used to fix dental restorations

− choice of products, and why

− the thinking about potential biological side effects, including toxicological aspects

Skills


− make a rational choice of materials

− use relevant biomaterials in general dental practice

− carry out a search for information from manufacturers and suppliers

− cooperate with dental technicians

− make a clinical assessment of any anomalous reactions to the materials

Attitudes

The candidate should have developed a critical attitude to the assessment of materials, products and services offered in relation to dental biomaterials. The candidate is also expected to have developed a conscious attitude to legislation and relevant information from the authorities.


Tuition in dental biomaterials will be integrated with the preclinical courses. The programme includes lectures, field trips and exercises with a view to a problem-based approach to special topics.

A four-hour written exam will be held at the end of the sixth semester.

Third year During the third year, the candidates are expected to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be able to assess a patient’s general state of health in relation to planned dental treatment. The candidate should also be able to examine, diagnose, draw up a treatment

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plan and prevent plaque-related diseases, as well as be able to carry out simple endodontic, restorative, periodontal and prosthodontic treatments.

Subjects

# Endodontics

# Pharmacology

# Cariology

# Microbiology

# Patient Communication

# Dental Biomaterials

# Oral Radiology

# Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine

# Pedodontics

# Periodontics

# Prosthodontics

Integrated Clinical Introductory Course The block of subjects called “Integrated Clinical Introductory Course” is taught in collaboration between the subjects cariology, microbiology, oral radiology, oral surgery and oral medicine, and the Center for Odontophobia and the Clinic of Dentistry.

Contents

The most important courses in this block are clinical procedures and hygiene (danger of infection and infection control), patient communication, history taking, general health evaluation, ethics, examinations, diagnostics, the planning of treatment, patient record regulations and local anaesthesia.


In combination with other theoretical, preparatory and clinical teaching, the “Integrated Clinical Introductory Course” should enable the candidate to start treating patients in the student clinic.

Knowledge


- the principles concerning the spread of infection and infection control (Hygiene Plan for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry)

- the principles for patient communication

- the contents and function of the history

- methods for extraoral and intraoral examinations

- local anaesthetics and their use

- formal patient record requirements

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Skills


- implement recommended procedures for good clinic hygiene

- take an history, carry out extraoral and intraoral examinations, make a preliminary diagnosis and draft a preliminary treatment plan

- administer local anaesthesia

- write patient records

- use equipment and materials in accordance with current guidelines

- handle special waste and problem waste in an adequate manner


The introductory course includes lectures, demonstrations, seminars and clinical exercises.

The course, seminars and clinical service are compulsory, and attendance will be recorded.

The course ends with a multidisciplinary written test. The test must be approved before the candidate is allowed to treat patients.

Preclinical Course/Biomaterials (Block Part 2) This block is taught in collaboration between the subjects cariology, dental biomaterials and prosthodontics. The first part of this block includes cariology/ biomaterials and is taught in the last part of the second year (Described under "Second year").

The second part of the block, dealing with preclinial prosthodontics/biomaterials (indirect restorations), is taught during the second half of the third year.

Contents

The block «Preclinical Courses/ Biomaterials» consists of teaching regarding biomaterials and techniques used for indirect fixed and indirect removable restorations.

The objectives, learning and work methods and forms of assessment for dental biomaterials are described under Second.


After having completed the block of subjects, the candidate is expected to have acquired the attitudes, knowledge and skills in cariology, dental biomaterials and prosthodontics necessary to carry out simple treatment of patients under supervision.

Knowledge


− the indications and principles for indirect fixed restorations

− the indications and principles for indirect removable restorations

Skills

The candidate should be able to carry out simple treatment involving:

− indirect fixed restorations

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− indirect removable restorations

Attitudes

During the course, the students should start to develop positive attitudes to the different aspects of prosthodontic treatment. It is important to focus on developing an adequate attitude to precision in prosthodontic work during the preclinical course.


Teaching is in the form of blocks of topics, in which practical work in the laboratory is elaborated on in lectures, video seminars, clinical demonstrations, theme days and visits to a dental laboratory. The most important activity during the course is individual laboratory work (work on phantom heads and dental procedures). The course and seminars are compulsory, and attendance will be recorded.

The practical work is approved individually and together at the end of each block of topics. Anonymous practical and theoretical tests are taken after each block of topics. The students are assessed and the assessments are summarised at teacher meetings after each block of topics.

Each student will have at least one interview with the teacher during the course. In this interview, the student’s attitudes, theoretical and practical knowledge and skills are discussed, and his or her attendance, ability to work unsupervised and any problems are discussed. More interviews are scheduled if necessary.

The final theoretical test and the practical work must be approved by the teaching staff before the student can start treating patients in the clinic.

The majority of the seminars are in the form of video viewing. The videos are also made available to the students on the intranet. Preclinical course teachers are expected to have detailed knowledge of the videos.

There is a practical and a theoretical test after each topic. The students will receive individual feedback on the tests, and will be given an opportunity to retake the test if necessary. At least two meetings are held between the staff member responsible for the course and the class’s student representative during the course. At these meetings they discuss the organisation of the course and any problems that have arisen. This provides important feedback on the rest of the course that can be used in future courses.

Endodontics Contents

Endodontics deals with the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries involving the dental pulp, and conditions resulting from them (sequelae).


The candidate will learn to prevent, diagnose and treat the endodontic diseases and tooth injuries involving the pulp tissue. In addition, the candidate should be able to assess the result of treatment. After completing the course, the candidate should be able to safely deal with most endodontic problems encountered in general dental practice. The candidate’s clinical practice will be based on knowledge derived from the basic subjects.

Knowledge - Conventional endodontics


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− be able to explain preventive endodontics and the treatment of the vital pulp

− be able to carry out an examination of a patient with an endodontics-related problem

− know how to assess the status of pulp and periradicular tissue

− have the knowledge necessary to be able to make a diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan focusing on what is best for the patient

Skills - Conventional endodontics


− be able to carry out an examination of a patient with an endodontics-related problem

− be able to communicate with the patient in order to take a complete and relevant history, and put the endodontics into an overall context for the patient

− act as a link between colleagues in the multidisciplinary planning and execution of such treatment

− handle most types of endodontic treatment common in general dental practice

− assess the outcomes of treatment

− evaluate the need for restoration of endodontically treated teeth

− be able to handle emergency treatment and follow-up of dental injuries

− perform bleaching of teeth after root canal treatment

− evaluate and carry out other necessary supplementary treatment if necessary

− perform apexification of immature permanent teeth with pulp disease

We refer to the Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines for Endodontology - European Society of Endodontology (Int Endodont J 2001; 34: 574-80) for a more detailed description of knowledge and skills.

Knowledge - Surgical endodontics


− be able to diagnose and plan treatment for patients who need surgical endodontics

− be able to explain and be conversant with dental biomaterials related to surgical endodontics

− be familiar with the possible implications of systemic diseases for surgical endodontic treatment

− be able to explain and be conversant with the principles and practice of surgical endodontics

− be able to explain and have an understanding of the possibility of cross-infection in surgical endodontics, and how to control it

Skills - Surgical endodontics


− be able to communicate with the patient in order to take a complete and relevant history, and promote surgical endodontics as part of overall care

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− control and evaluate surgical endodontic treatment

− know the indications and possibilities for supplementary treatment, such as hemisection, root amputation, planned replantation and crown lengthening

We refer to the Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines for Endodontology - European Society of Endodontology (Int Endodont J 2001; 34: 574-80) for a more detailed description of knowledge and skills.


The teaching includes lectures, demonstration, seminars, a preclinical course and clinical teaching. The subject-specific teaching begins with the preclinical course in the sixth semester. Subject-specific clinical teaching begins when the preclinical course has been completed and is concluded in the eighth semester. Teaching continues into the General dental Pracitice block.

Research-based teaching is ensured in that the academic staff holds lectures and is obliged to teach in the clinic. Clinical teachers are kept up-to-date (departmental meetings), and they hold seminars which are quality assured by the academic staff.

− Clinical endodontics should be taught by persons with special competence, or persons undergoing specialist training in endodontics.

− The preclinical course is concluded with a theoretical test. The test must be approved before clinical service can begin. The test will be reviewed for each group (A-D) in a plenary meeting.

− Clinic service is compulsory.

− The students register the clinical work (type and number) and have it approved on a separate student card. This provides the basis for the evaluation of progress and variation in treatment prior to final approval of the course.

− The students complete non-conformity forms for each endodontic treatment. This form is reviewed and signed by the group teacher/ person responsible for the session.

− The non-conformity forms form the basis for changes in clinical procedures in the student clinic.

− Evaluation of subject-specific tuition takes place in the form of written feedback to the candidates in the middle of the seventh semester (October/November). Final evaluation of subject-specific tuition takes place after the course has been completed (week 11 in the eighth semester). Candidates’ subject-specific tuition must be approved before they can proceed to the General Dental Practice block (exceptions can be made if a written plan for extra work focusing on endodontics in the General Dental Pracitice block has been drawn up in cooperation with the person with academic responsibility for the subject). Endodontics is also involved in tuition in the KOS block.

− Clinical grades (Pass/Fail) are awarded in the tenth semester (based on subject-specific tuition and tuition in the General Dental Practice block).

− Combined written exam in Endodontics 1 and Prosthodontics 1 (6 hours) at the end of the eighth semester. Approval of the subject-specific clinical course is a precondition for taking the exam (the exam can be taken if a written agreement has been entered into about extra work focusing on endodontics in the General Dental Practice block).

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Oral Pharmacology Contents

Pharmacology is the study of interactions between medicines and the living organism. The following topics are taught in dental pharmacology:

− general pharmacology

− local anaesthetics

− analgesics

− antimicrobial drugs

− psychotropic drugs

− anaesthetics/anxiolytics/sedatives

− drugs for cardiovascular diseases

− drugs affecting the blood

− hormone medications

− oral side effects of drugs

− interactions

− prescription studies

− RELIS

− use of Felleskatalogen (“The Norwegian Pharmaceutical Product Compendium of Medicinal Products marketed in Norway”)


The candidate should be able to explain basic concepts and definitions in general pharmacology. The candidate is also expected to be able to explain the pharmacological properties of medicines used in dentistry. The candidate should be able to explain the side effects of the drugs and drug interactions which could influence oral health.

The candidate should be able to explain the rules concerning dentists’ right to requisition drugs set out in the Regulations relating to the Requisitioning and Dispensing of Drugs from Pharmacies.


The teaching includes a subject-specific series of lectures on pharmacology, and lectures integrated into other teaching. Teaching is also provided in the KOS block. A three-hour written exam will be held at the end of the sixth semester.

Cariology Contents

The theoretical teaching should result in a deeper understanding of the oral ecosystem and its importance to the development of disease and damage to the dental hard tissues. The etiology, pathogenesis and diagnostics of injuries are studied, as are disease activity, prognoses, prevention work and reparative treatment. Cariology will also help increase the students’

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understanding of the significance of lifestyle, general state of health and social and cultural factors with respect to oral health.


The student is expected to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be able to diagnose, prevent and treat disease, mineralisation disorders and injuries to the dental hard tissues. The student should also be able to evaluate the prognosis and treatment and communicate with patients about this.

Knowledge


− tooth development and dental development disorders

− histopathological changes (in connection with pathology) in hard dental tissue

− the function of the oral ecosystem, including the importance of diet to oral health and dental diseases

− the composition, function and variation of saliva

− the importance of general health, mental factors, medication and lifestyle to oral health/disease (for example eating disorders)

− dryness of the mouth in connection with disease, medication, abuse (narcotic substances and alcohol) and radiation therapy, including diagnosis, thorough examination and possibilities for treatment/ relief

− principles and methods for chemical and mechanical plaque control

− differential diagnostics between various hard tissue injuries such as, for example, caries, tooth wear (erosion, abrasion, attrition) and mineralisation disorders, as well as their etiology, prophylaxis and the possibilities for reparative treatment

− clinical and radiographic image of caries in enamel, dentine and cementum (root caries)

− tooth pain from caries, tooth wear and other hard tissue injuries and the possibilities for treatment/ relief

− the principles of the working mechanisms of fluoride, fluoride therapy as preventive treatment and the possible negative effects of fluoride

− principles and indications of cavity design and the choice, use and handling of materials

− complications and sequentae of caries therapy, filling defects and indications for the revision of fillings is required

− causes of discolouration of teeth and possibilities for treatment (for example bleaching and microabrasion)

− traditional clinical, radiological and more recent caries diagnostic methods

− possibility and principles for cosmetic/ aesthetic dental health based on ethical considerations

− the interpretation of caries-epidemiological data

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Skills

The student should be able to:

− take a clinical history

− perform clinical, radiological and other necessary examinations (for example saliva tests and dietary history)

− make an adequate diagnosis and keep patient records

− make a total assessment of the patient, assess disease activity and the prognosis

− prioritise treatment needs, plan and carry out cause-oriented adequate prophylaxis and reparative therapy

− evaluate the result of treatment, assess the prognosis and the intervals recall appointments

− know his or her limitations, know when to seek help, and be able to communicate with patients, dental health personnel and health personnel in a relevant manner

Attitudes

The student must develop a positive and responsible attitude to preserving the natural dentition as well as possible, both in terms of function and aesthetics.


Knowledge, technical skills and a responsible attitude will be achieved through lectures, seminars, group teaching, demonstrations and patient treatment. The clinical teaching will be closely linked to the subjects endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, as the subject-specific treatment will be carried out following an overall assessment of the patient.

Tuition in cariology is partly subject-specific, and partly integrated in the blocks “Preclinical course/ Biomaterials” and “General Dental Practice”.

Quality assurance of the clinical cariology work (third and fourth-year students) is carried out in the form of interviews between the group teachers and the students. These interviews take place every semester, partly as group interviews and partly individually, but the student also prepares a self-assessment report based on his or her clinical work. The group teacher makes a complete assessment and reports to the person responsible for the course/subject. Extra follow-up measures in accordance with the faculty’s procedures will be implemented if a student does not meet the expectations of the subject area.

Work requirements: A certain number of treatments in the clinic are required.

Research-based teaching is ensured by:

− the academic staff having an obligation to teach at the clinic

− the clinical teachers receiving hand-outs from the lectures and listening in on the lectures if they can

− the clinical teachers holding seminars that are quality assured by the academic staff

− regular teacher/staff meetings on relevant topics

Assessment forms:

− Test after “Preclinical Cariology”: Internal examiner

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− Test after the “Integrated Clinical Introductory Course” (fifth semester): Internal examiner

− Written exam (eighth semester): Internal and external examiners

− Written exam (tenth semester, in the General Dental Practice block): Internal and external examiners

Quality Assurance of Teaching

− The preclinical cariology course finishes with a written test

− The Integrated Clinical Introductory Course concludes with a written test. After the test, the students are informed about the correct answers.

− Attendance records are kept for the compulsory part of the course (clinic and seminars). Minor deviations will be pointed out verbally, more serious ones in writing.

− The students register the number of approved clinical activities on a student card themselves, and the clinical teacher gives his or her approval by signing the card. A special self-assessment report makes it easier to follow up the progress of students’ work during the course. The student cards form an important basis for the evaluation of progress and whether the amount of clinical work units can be approved at the end of the clinical course.

− Group interviews and a “performance appraisal interview” between students and the group teacher are carried out each semester.

− The students’ progress in clinical service is evaluated regularly. The students receive oral feedback from the group teacher. Students who deviate seriously from normal progress are also given written feedback. Extra follow-up is provided in the clinic if necessary.

There is a three-hour written exam in cariology. The subject-specific clinical service must be approved before the student can proceed to the General Dental Practice block.

Oral Microbiology Contents

The general part of the course deals with the classification of micro-organisms and their structure, biological functions and pathogenic properties. The main emphasis will be on bacteria, fungi and viruses relevant to dentistry. The interaction between microorganisms and the host organism and between different microorganisms in the local environment (micro-ecology) will be explained. An introduction is also given as to why bacteria may become resistant to antimicrobial drugs and how such resistance can spread to other bacteria. The part dealing with oral microbiology explains the microorganisms and micro-ecology of the oral cavity and what this means to oral health and infections in the teeth, periodontium, mucous membranes and mandibulars. The spread of oral infections to other parts of the body and the possible connection between chronic oral bacterial infections and disease processes in other parts of the body will be discussed.


Knowledge


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− how the relevant microorganisms, microbial dental plaque (biofilm) and micro-ecological changes can lead to infection and inflammation

− that infections do not always cause clinical symptoms and tissue changes in patients, but that these patients can still represent an infection risk

− and use knowledge of dental biofilm prophylactically, i.e. to prevent such biofilm from being formed and biofilm-related diseases developing as a result

− and be able to take samples of saliva and dental plaque and know how these samples can be used to determine the amount of caries bacteria in order to determine a patient’s risk of caries

− how the effectiveness of sterilizers can be examined microbiologically

Skills


− handle microorganisms safely

− cultivate microorganisms on growth media and assess their growth

− produce Gram slides and examine them in a microscope

− carry out sterilizer control with spore tests

Attitudes


− be motivated for the prevention of caries and gum disease based on microbacteriological knowledge

− organise his or her work in a manner that minimises the risk of him/herself becoming infected

− based on his or her knowledge of infectious diseases, practice the recommended infection prevention measures when treating patients

− adopt a restrictive attitude to the use of antimicrobial drugs in dentistry based on his or her knowledge of the dangers of spreading resistant bacteria in order to contribute to minimising the spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs


Teaching consists of lectures, compulsory laboratory courses, use of the student portal and two-way communication between the subject teacher and the students via group e-mail.

The students submit their laboratory records, which must be approved before the students can take the test stipulated in the curriculum in the fifth semester.

Oral Radiology Contents

In Oral radiology students learn how X-radiation is formed, what its effect is and how X-rays are used to create images of teeth, periodontium and facial structures. They also learn to interpret radiographs.

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The candidate will learn about the physical background to X-ray diagnostics, radiobiology and radiation hygiene, roentgenographical materials and digital imaging technology, examination techniques, normal and pathological X-ray anatomy, indications for X-ray examinations and the reliability of X-ray diagnostics. The candidate should be able to use X-ray diagnostics in general dental practice.

Knowledge


− different types of electromagnetic radiation, their properties and characteristics

− the structure and function of the X-ray machine

− the interaction between X-rays and matter, and biological effects

− measurement of X-radiation and radiation dosages in mandibular and facial diagnostics

− radiation hygiene measures and radiation injuries

− indications for X-ray diagnostics

− X-ray films, intensification screens and cassettes

− darkroom procedures

− sensors for digital imaging diagnostics

− examination techniques

− normal and pathological X-ray anatomy

− artefacts and the reliability of X-ray diagnostics

Skills


− choose a setting and carry out examinations of different types of patients using intraoral films, sensors and phosphorous plates, plus extraorally positioned films and panoramic exposures

− interpret radiographs with regard to quality and decide which pictures must be retaken or supplemented

− perform a simple contrast examination of the fistulography type

− identify the normal anatomical structures of the mandibular, the mandibular joint and adjoining areas

− identify dental materials in X-ray images

− diagnose specific diseases and conditions of the teeth, periodontium, the mandibulars and adjoining areas

Attitudes

Students must be responsible and caring towards their patients and ensure that the examination does not involve greater radiation exposure for the patients than necessary.

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Teaching starts with a series of lectures and clinical seminars. The students are given practical demonstrations of picture taking, followed by training in taking a full mouth status, i.e. 14 films including all the structures in tooth-supporting areas plus stomatognathic-wings. Stomatognathic-wings are radiographs of the crown of the teeth in the upper and lower mandibular and the surrounding supporting tissue for diagnosis of caries and periodontitis, the most common oral diseases. The students first practise on model heads, and continue with patients once they have learnt to take all the necessary types of pictures. They also learn to take extraoral films and ortopantomograms.

In each weekly three-hour seminars, students also concentrate on a specific theoretical topic as diagnostics training.

Attendance is registered, and supplementary attendance is required if the student’s has an absenteeism exceeds 15 per cent.

Attendance records are kept for all clinical teaching. Information about deviations from the norm is first verbally by the group teacher and then in writing if there is no improvement.

The teacher must approve that the student is able to take a full status, evaluate image quality and describe the anatomy and pathology of tooth-supporting areas.

Compulsory clinical work must be approved before the student can take the exam. A three-hour written exam is held at the end of the sixth semester. It is assessed by an external and an internal examiner (the subject teacher) and the grade Pass or Fail is awarded.

Periodontics The Contents of the Course

Periodontics is the study of diseases in the supporting structures of the teeth (the periodontium), which consist of the gingiva, the periodontal membrane and the surrounding alveolar bone, and the knowledge and skills needed to treat these diseases. The most common diseases are gingivitis (inflammation of the gingiva) and marginal periodontitis. The occurrence of these diseases in the adult population is substantial. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva which is usually reversible without harming the supporting tissue if effective treatment is given. Chronic periodontitis is considered to be a further development of gingivitis characterised by loss of supporting tissue. There is great individual variation regarding who contracts periodontitis, the rate progresses and the seriousness of the disease. The disease can be stopped or limited in the majority of the population, but about 10 per cent develop a more serious form that often leads to tooth loss. The onset of the serious form of the disease often comes at an early age, and loss of attachment is rapid. The cause of marginal periodontitis is bacteria on the surface of the teeth in interaction with immunological, genetic and environmental factors. The number of patients with dental implants is increasing. Infection can also arise in the supporting tissue around implants, peri-implantitis, and this can require substantial treatment. The causes of peri-implantitis are thought to be the same as for periodontitis.


The principal objective of the research-based teaching of periodontics is that the candidate should acquire the necessary knowledge and practical/clinical skills to be able to diagnose, judge the prognosis for and treat the various forms of periodontal disease in patients of all ages.

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In order to achieve this, students must be capable of preventing, diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases in patients who are otherwise healthy and in patients with known diseases, and be able to judge when it is necessary to refer the patient if the condition and the candidate’s own competence so dictate. Treatment must be justified on the basis of the biology of the periodontium and current knowledge of the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment methods of periodontal diseases. The objective is also to develop the students’ knowledge and influence their attitudes so that, when they become dentists, they will adhere to safe practise in light of the development of periodontal research and the ethical norms and legislation governing the health service.

Knowledge

The candidate should be able to explain/demonstrate:

− extensive knowledge of preclinical and paraclinical disciplines that are included in the course and are relevant to periodontics, and which are relevant to

− the etiology of the periodontal diseases

− the pathogenesis and histopathology of the periodontal diseases and the defence mechanisms of the host

− knowledge about the interaction between general health, systemic factors/diseases and periodontal disease, and in particular how the treatment of periodontal disease is carried out on patients with different medical conditions

− knowledge of the epidemiology of periodontal disease and the influence of periodontitis on the health of the population, as well as classification of periodontal disease

− knowledge of periodontal diagnostics, treatment planning, prevention, treatment and prognosis assessment

− knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of mucogingival problems and periodontal abscesses

− knowledge about interdisciplinary relations between periodontics and other dental disciplines

− knowledge about the use of antimicrobial drugs in periodontal therapy

− regulations concerning social security benefits and financial support towards the cost of periodontal treatment

Skills


− be able to communicate with patients about the causes and natural history of periodontal diseases

− have extensive clinical periodontic skills in order to diagnose the disease, assess the need for treatment, plan periodontal therapy, and assess the prognosis after treatment:

- both by raising the patients’ awareness and motivating them to improve their dental health and in training in necessary methods consistent with good periodontal health

- both in supragingival and subgingival depuration using manual instruments and machines

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- by assessing and treating modifying etiological factors

- being able to assess medical risk factors in connection with the periodontal treatment of patients with systemic diseases and conditions

− have clinical skills in conservative as well as surgical treatment of mild and moderate forms of periodontal disease

− have clinical skills in the examination and diagnosis of advanced forms of periodontal disease in order to be able to recognise cases that should be referred for specialist treatment

− be qualified to evaluate the result of periodontal treatment, carry our risk assessments, prepare for and carry out periodontal maintenance treatment

− be able to communicate with specialists in periodontics and other health personnel in connection with the treatment of difficult cases


Teaching takes the form of preparatory courses, lectures, clinical presentations of cases, seminars and clinics.

Teaching starts in the last part of the fourth semester, and ends in the last part of the tenth semester in the General Dental Practice block. First, there is a preparatory course during which the students familiarise themselves with depuration instruments and practise using them. At the beginning of the fifth semester, periodontal diagnostics is taught in an interdisciplinary “Clinical Introductory Course”. The course concludes with a compulsory written test qualifying for entrance to the clinic. A series of lectures and seminars begins immediately after the course. The “Gingivectomy Course" is taught at the end of the fifth and the beginning of the sixth semester and is concluded with a compulsory written test. The subject-specific periodontics teaching concludes with a written exam in the ninth semester.

Completion of a certain number of work units in the clinic is required.

Research-based teaching is ensured by:

− the academic staff having an obligation to teach at the clinic

− the clinical teachers receiving hand-outs from the lectures and listening in on the lectures if they can

− the clinical teachers holding seminars that are prepared and quality assured by the academic staff

− regular teacher/staff meetings on relevant topics

Assessment forms:

− Internal test after “Integrated Clinical Introductory Course” (fifth semester): Internal examiner

− Internal test after “Introductory Gingivectomy Course” (sixth semester): Internal examiner

− Written exam (eighth semester): Internal and external examiners

Quality assurance of teaching

− The preparatory course is held separately for each of the 4 groups of students in each year.

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− The Integrated Clinical Introductory Course concludes with a written test. Immediately after the test, the students receive the correct answers.

− An attendance record is kept for the compulsory part of the course (clinic and seminars). Minor deviations form the norm will be pointed out verbally, more serious ones in writing.

− The students register the number of approved clinical activities on a student card themselves, and the clinical teacher approves by signing the card. The student cards form an important basis for the evaluation of students’ progress and whether the amount of clinical work units can be approved at the end of the clinical course.

− Group interviews and a performance appraisal interview between students and the group teacher are carried out each semester (sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth).

− The students’ progress in clinical service is evaluated four times during the teaching period (at the end of the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth semesters). The students receive oral feedback from the group teacher. Students who deviate seriously from normal progress are also given written feedback. Extra follow-up in the clinic is provided if necessary.

− A three-hour written exam is arranged at the end of the eighth semester. An approved clinical course is required to take the exam.

Prosthodontics Contents

Prosthodontics is the study of artificial indirect replacements of lost of missing oral tissue, primarily teeth.


The candidate is expected to acquire knowledge and skills as well as attitudes to basic clinical prosthodontics. This will form the basis for continuation of the prosthodontics training in the General Dental Practice block.

Knowledge


− indications and contraindications of prosthodontic treatment in general

− epidemiological data in relation to tooth loss

− survival data for various types of prosthodontic treatments and factors that influence them

− the planning of treatment for the production of fixed and removable prostheses, including:

- relevant materials and pre-treatment stages

- preparation, taking an impression and registering the stomatognathic for the production of fixed prostheses

- dowel after root filling

- the production and cementing of provisional dental prostheses

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- occlusion and articulation of fixed prostheses

- clinical adjustment and cementing of fixed prostheses

- hygiene programmes for patients with fixed prostheses

- routines for follow-up and examination of fixed prostheses

- pre-treatment of remaining teeth and mucous membranes for the production of removable prostheses

- taking impressions and registering stomatognathic for removable prostheses

- occlusion and articulation relating to removable prostheses

- clinical adjustment and handing over of removable prostheses

- hygiene programmes for patients with removable prostheses

- routines for follow-up and examination of removable prostheses

- aesthetics, including choosing the colour of prosthetic replacements

- harmful effects of prosthodontic treatment

Skills

The candidate is expected to be able to assess the need for, plan and carry out simple treatment involving crowns, small bridges, removable partial prostheses (with a cast frame) and removable complete prostheses.

Attitudes

The candidate shall develop attitudes that involve:

− applying high quality requirements with respect to technical precision and recommended handling of materials

− a sense of responsibility towards and willingness to cooperate with patients needing prosthodontic treatment and follow-up

− willingness to cooperate with auxiliary staff and any others participating in the treatment

− recognition of the need to maintain and renew one’s knowledge in prosthodontics as well as recognition of one's own professional limitations


Integrated theoretical and practical clinical teaching is used in order to achieve the learning objectives. The subject-specific teaching of prosthodontics is based on the preparatory biomaterials block and includes lectures, compulsory demonstrations, compulsory seminars/group meetings, and compulsory clinic service. The students treat their own patients in accordance with defined quantity and quality requirements. An approved prosthodontics course is required before the General Dental Practice block.

Attendance registration has been introduced for the compulsory clinic service. Special prosthodontics records are used to ensure the best possible planning and execution of treatment. Forms have been prepared for written approval of the individual stages of treatment planning and execution. Academic staff and clinical teachers participate in the clinical as well as the preparatory teaching. There are defined quality requirements (equivalent to the grade C) and quantity requirements for performance of the clinical work. Procedures exist for the

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evaluation of the candidates’ clinical performance. Compulsory tests (type II) are held during the course to check learning progress and provide feedback for students and teachers (on the teaching). Students are given written notification if their progress is insufficient, and endeavours are made to remedy the situation. Various measures have been implemented to achieve the best possible calibration of the teaching staff.

The course concludes with a written exam (6 hours) at the end of the eighth semester. An external examiner is employed. Performance in clinical service (attitudes, knowledge and skills) will be continuously assessed in relation to the defined quality and quantity requirements. The subject-specific clinical service must be approved for the student to be able to begin the General Dental Practice block and take the prosthodontics exam.

Odontophobia Contents

The main objective of the odontophobia course is to increase the students’ knowledge of the psychology of the treatment situation and their communication skills. The student should be able to care for the patient as a person. This is fundamental to achieving a good emotional climate, thereby avoiding conflicts in the dentist-patient relationship. Students will receive tuition and guidance in understanding the importance of good communication to the patient’s feeling of mastery, general satisfaction and compliance. They must have an adequate understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of fear and anxiety, thus enabling them to prevent these feelings. The following topics are taught:

Third year

Odontophobia course, Part 1.

(Integrated Clinical Introductory Course)

− General information about the psychology of the treatment situation

− Cognition, learning and behaviour

− General information about fear, anxiety and phobias

− Odontological interpretation of fear and anxiety reactions

− Pain

− Classical and operant conditioning

− Clinical communication

Fourth year

− Ethics. Four-hour lecture/seminar. Clinical situations that raise ethical problems (taught in cooperation with Community Dentistry)

Fifth year

Odontophobia course, Part 2.

− Concepts

− Diagnostics

− Treatment planning and treatment principles

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− Treatment methods

− Exposure therapy in the dental clinic

− Individualised diagnostics and treatment

− Interview with a patient. Video

− Stress and pain control

− Clinical cases. Group work

− Discussion of clinical problems, also based on own experience from the clinic


Knowledge

After completing the course, the student should be able to explain:

- Central concepts and principles of general psychology

- Fear, anxiety, stress and pain

- Emotional climate/ conflict situations

- Insight into the psychology of the treatment situation

- Clinical communication

- Fundamental aspects of dentist-patient communication

- What is meant by the bio-psycho-social model

- The concept of empathy

Skills

After completing the course, the students are expected to have the following skills:

− Practical applied psychology skills

− Conversational technique

− Be able to build a relationship of trust

− Observe and assess the patient's behaviour, and perceive emotional signals in connection with examinations and treatment

− Master the most basic principles required to be able to carry out treatment in a way that inflicts as little pain, stress and discomfort as possible, and that prevents the future development of dental phobia

Attitudes

− Students should have a general understanding of the patient as a person and show interest in and consideration for the patients’ perception of the treatment.

− Students should understand the importance of good relationships in connection with conversations with patients, and that the ability to communicate with patients is fundamental to the patients' feeling of mastery, general satisfaction and compliance.

− Be willing to discuss emotional and interpersonal aspects of patient treatment.

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Odontophobia is taught as two compulsory part-courses, one part in the Integrated Clinical Introductory Course in the third year (Part 1) and one part during the final year of studies (Part 2). In addition, ethics seminars are held in cooperation with Community Dentistry.

Teaching in the Integrated Clinical Introductory Course (Part 1) takes the form of lectures, videos, role play and training in the clinic, where the students play patient, dentist and dental chairside assistant. The teachers are dentists and psychologists from the Center for Odontophobia.

Some topics from odontophobia are integrated in the teaching of other subjects. Thus the topics refusal, fear, pain control and indications for the use of psychological and pharmacological treatment methods for fear and refusal of treatment in children are taught as part of pedodontics.

Both Part 1 and Part 2 are quality assured using evaluation forms that are completed anonymously at the end of the course.

The Integrated Clinical Introductory Course concludes with an exam which includes questions from the Odontophobia course (Part 1). Part 2 is also compulsory for students and is included in the General Dental Practice exam in the fifth year.

Fourth Year During the fourth year, the candidate is expected to acquire the theoretical knowledge and practical/clinical skills required to take care of children, adults and elderly patients with treatment needs with a limited degree of difficulty.

Theoretical and clinical teaching in endodontics, cariology, periodontics and prosthodontics will be integrated into the General Dental Practice block together with stomatognathic physiology and gerodontology. In addition, several subject areas will cooperate on integrated and multidisciplinary theoretical teaching of the "Mandibular and Mucous Membrane Complaints" block (see below). The clinical teaching in the subject will be given by the subject area Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine. Theoretical clinical teaching will be given in pedodontics and orthodontics and facial orthopedics, as well as theoretical teaching in Community Dentistry. In addition, work will start on the dissertation and preparations for practical training will begin.

Subjects

«General Dental Practice»

- Endodontics

- Gerodontology

- Cariology

- Periodontics

- Prosthodontics

# Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics

# «Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints»

- Endodontics

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- Pharmacology

- Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine

- Oral Microbiology

- Oral Pathology

- Oral Radiology

- Stomatognathic physiology

# Pedodontics

# Community Dentistry

BLOCKS AND SUBJECTS

General Dental Practice Contents

The General Dental Practice block continues and integrates theoretical and clinical teaching in endodontics, cariology, periodontics and prosthodontics. Other courses taught are stomatognathic physiology and gerodontology. It is also natural to include pharmacology, orthodontics and facial orthopedics, dental biomaterials, oral radiology, oral surgery and oral medicine.

As the General Dental Practice course is based on and continues elements that have been introduced earlier in the course, we refer to both the principal theoretical and the practical/clinical learning objectives for Master’s degree and for the individual subjects.


On the basis of, and through the integration of, attitudes, subject-specific knowledge and skills, the candidate is expected, through the course in General Dental Practice, to acquire the competence necessary to carry out a complete assessment of the patient and draw up a treatment plan in order to prevent as far as possible or treat common diseases and injuries to oral tissues. The best possible prognosis should be ensured through the planning and execution of appropriate measures.

Knowledge

See the learning goals for the study of stomatognathic function, endodontics, pharmacology, gerodontology, cariology, dental biomaterials, oral microbiology, periodontics, prosthodontics and forensic dentistry. Multidisciplinary teaching is given to facilitate a holistic approach to elderly patients. In addition to the previous subject-specific teaching, a programme is introduced which forms the knowledge base (emphasising patient selection and follow-up/maintenance) for implant-anchored prostheses treatment.

Skills


− take a history, perform an examination (clinical and X-ray), take tests, interpret findings, make diagnoses and draw up a complete individual treatment plan for at least two or three patients

− use modern scientifically-accepted prophylactic and therapeutic methods and materials

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− carry out preventive and therapeutic measures for the individual patient, including fully adequate treatment of known carriers of infection

− cope with various emergencies that can arise during dental treatment

− quality assure and evaluate the effect of his or her own treatment (prognosis evaluation) and critically assess whether follow-up treatment will be necessary

− report suspected side effects of dental biomaterials, and be able to perform a basic oral examination of such patients

− ensure that the patients get the reimbursements/financial support that they are entitled from public or private bodies

− cooperate with dental hygienists, dental chairside assistants and other types of health personnel

Attitudes

This block is meant to ensure that the candidates acquire adequate ethical and professional attitudes with respect to, among other things, care of patients, the planning of individual treatment, the technical quality of treatment and to the compliance with statutes and regulations governing health- and oral health services.


The theoretical teaching includes lectures, seminars and written summaries of literature. The clinical teaching/activities aim to integrate theory and practice emphasising an analytical approach to the treatment plan. The students present one of their cases, and it must be approved along with the rest of the clinical service for them to be allowed to take the exam. Special records have been prepared for General Dental Practice to ensure a complete assessment of the patients. Special approval forms have also been prepared for the written approval of the treatment planning and the performance of treatment in the different disciplines. Academic staff and clinical teachers from the different subjects are part of the clinical teaching staff.

The individual student is given reasoned feedback on his or her clinical performance at the end of the eighth and ninth semesters and in the middle of the tenth semester, and clinical grades are awarded at the end of the tenth semester. The feedback and grades will be based on qualitative evaluations. In addition, a quantitative minimum has been defined for the students, including treatment carried out during the clinical General Dental Practice course as well as in the subject-specific courses. The course ends in week 20 of the tenth semester.

A six-hour integrated written exam based on the written and pictorial description of cases will be held in the tenth semester. The main focus is on a holistic assessment of the patient and the integration of attitudes, knowledge and skills in the different subjects.

Gerodontology (General Dental Practice)

Contents

Gerontology is the area of dentistry that deals with the special knowledge, attitudes and clinical skills necessary for the treatment of elderly adults with different care and treatment needs. The expression “elderly adults” has no specific chronological limit, but refers to adults affected by biological, physiological, social and/or mental changes associated with old age -

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with or without contemporaneous illness. This means that gerodontology is a multidisciplinary (scientific) clinical course that includes dental treatment of elderly patients.

The candidate is expected to acquire the knowledge and practical /clinical skills necessary to take responsibility for the elderly population's need for oral and dental care.


The candidate should be able to explain an individual’s normal aging and the age-related changes in the relationship between the individual and society and environment. The candidate should be able to explain the connection between oral and general health in the elderly as well as age-determined variations in oral diseases, treatment and prevention. It is important that the candidate can explain the role of each member of the interdisciplinary team in the treatment of elderly patients. The candidate is expected to acquire knowledge and skills enabling him or her, without supervision, to examine, diagnose, plan therapy for, treat, assess the prognosis for and prevent oral diseases in both healthy (functionally independent) elderly patients and in elderly patients with impaired functional abilities.

Knowledge

The candidate should be able to explain the following topics:

− Activities at a geriatric clinic

− Dental care for elderly patients with serious physical and/or mental diseases or disabilities

− Dental care for medical risk patients among the elderly population

− Demography: age structure and population development

− Gerodontology: biological, psychological and social aspects

− Geriatrics: disease progression and diagnostic problems among the elderly, the disease panorama among elderly patients, geriatric diseases relevant to dental treatment

− Pharmacology: medicine use and the elderly

− Nutrition: diet and the elderly

− The oral health and treatment needs of the elderly population and their utilisation of oral health service in a historical, present and future perspective

− The aging of the oral cavity and the mastication apparatus

− The functional aging and dysfunction of the oral cavity: saliva, taste and swallowing

− Diseases of the oral cavity and the mastication apparatus among the elderly: development, diagnostics, treatment, prognosis and prevention

− Oral rehabilitation in the elderly

− Principles for planning therapy and choosing treatment for a) healthy elderly patients, b) elderly patients with impaired functional abilities, and c) elderly patients suffering from illness

− The dental care of geriatric patients suffering from illness

− The organisation, personnel and funding of geriatric care and dental care

− Communication with the elderly and with health care and nursing personnel

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− The roles of the dentist and the dental hygienist in the interdisciplinary team for the elderly

− Domiciliary dental care for the elderly

Skills

The candidate shall be able to carry out unsupervised:

− examinations, diagnostics, therapy planning, prognosis evaluation, treatment and relapse-preventing dental care for healthy elderly patients and for elderly patients with impaired functional abilities

− examinations, diagnosis and therapy planning for elderly patients whose need for treatment and the dental treatment situation are related to general diseases, mental health or disability

− evaluation of behavioural problems in the dental care situation for elderly people with dementia and other serious mental conditions, and show consideration for their psychological circumstances as well as choice of premedication

− assessment of medical risk factors in the performance of dental treatment on the elderly

− examinations, diagnosis, therapy planning, prognosis evaluation and treatment and relapse-preventing dental care for elderly dental risk patients (for example elderly patients with a high risk of caries and/or a high level of caries activity)

− preventive dental care for elderly individuals as well as for groups of elderly people in different living arrangements (at home, sheltered accommodation, nursing homes)


Teaching takes place in the spring semester of the fourth year and during the fifth year of studies.

The teaching consists of three components:

− A didactic component (theoretical course)

− A clinical component (patient treatment) at Kalfaret dental clinic

− An extramural component (domiciliary dental care for the elderly) in a nursing home

Teaching starts with a series of lectures in the spring semester of the fourth year in preparation for the clinical service in the ninth semester. The clinical service in the fifth year of studies takes place in a public dental clinic in cooperation with the Norwegian Public Dental Service. Among other things, this clinic is responsible for the supervision of 11 nursing homes in the City of Bergen.

Teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars, screening visits at nursing homes and clinical service at a public clinic under the guidance of personnel from the Norwegian Public Dental Service and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Attendance records are kept for all teaching. Deviations are dealt with in writing. Because of the heterogeneity of the patient population, it is impossible define minimum requirements for the performance of specific procedures.

Research-based teaching is ensured by 1) the academic staff having an obligation to teach at the clinic, 2) clinical teachersparticipating in at least two meetings on relevant topics every semester, 3) the clinical teacherscontributing to scientific publications, 4) the clinical

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teachersholding seminars that are prepared and quality assured by the academic staff, 5) at least two teacher/staff meetings at which clinical cases are discussed for calibration purposes each semester.

All newly appointed teachers are assigned an experienced teacher as mentor in order to learn about student treatment procedures and standards before they begin at the clinic.

The students’ level of skills is continuously discussed at teacher meetings, and measures in the form of more clinical service and/or special seminars are implemented for students who do not meet the criteria.

The teachers decide in a plenary session whether the students’ clinical course, which is a requirement for taking the written exam in the subject, can be approved.

The subject concludes with an integrated written exam in General Dental Practice in the tenth semester. Internal and external examiners.

Endodontics

Description provided under Third year.

Cariology


Periodontics


Prosthodontics


Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics Contents

Orthodontics and facial orthopedics is the study of the growth of the head, face and mandibulars, of the teeth’s function and development, of examination and diagnosis of growth, occlusion and eruption anomalies and their prevention and treatment.


The candidates are expected to be able to explain normal and aberrant craniofacial growth, occlusal development and eruption and to have the skills necessary to enable them to diagnose growth, occlusal and eruption anomalies in individuals of different ages. They should be able to explain when and how these anomalies should be treated.

They should have skills and knowledge about how eruption and occlusal anomalies can be prevented (interceptive treatment), and must be able to distinguish between extensive anomalies that must be referred to a specialist and local anomalies that can be treated in a general dental practice. They are expected to be able to communicate and cooperate with specialists in orthodontics and facial orthopedics on diagnosis and treatment.

They should know the organisation of the orthodontics and facial orthopedics in the dental health service and patients’ possibilities for reimbursement from the National Insurance Service.

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Knowledge

The candidates should be able to explain:

− etiological factors in positional defects of the teeth and mandibular and know how widespread they are in the population

− prenatal and postnatal growth and development of the head and mandibulars

− methods for determining the growth rate and direction, and how growth can be influenced by orthodontic treatment

− occlusal development and its variation, and diagnose eruption anomalies, when and how they should be treated, and evaluate the need for and indications of orthodontic and facial orthopaedic treatment

− the most common malocclusions and principles of treatment

− the biological reactions to the moving of teeth and influencing of growth

− the effect of fixed and removable appliances

− harmful effects of orthodontic treatment

− stability following orthodontic treatment

− the principles of correction of positional defects of the teeth and mandibular through interdisciplinary treatment

− the most common deformities of the face and mandibulars and the principles of treatment of cleft lip, mandibular and palate

Skills


− carry out the clinical examinations necessary to diagnose growth, eruption and occlusal anomalies in different age groups

− inform patients and parents or guardians about the necessity (or the opposite) of orthodontic treatment and when it should be initiated

− inform about what the treatment entails and associated risk factors

− refer anomalies with treatment needs to an orthodontic and facial orthopaedic specialist, and communicate and cooperate with the specialist about treatment

− inform patients about social security benefits in connection with orthodontic treatment

− treat and prevent the development of local positional defects of teeth

− initiate treatment in order to break (bad) habits which have a negative effect on occlusion

− carry out prophylactic measures for patients with fixed dental braces

Attitudes

The candidates should know their role in the dental health service and feel a sense of responsibility for ensuring that the individual patient is offered a fully adequate assessment of and treatment of his or her occlusal anomalies.

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Teaching takes place in the seventh and eighth semester, and each student has one session a week.

Teaching takes the form of an introductory course, seminars, lectures and a clinic.

− There is a 5-day introductory course at the beginning of the seventh semester consisting of lectures, seminars and clinical exercises in diagnosis and patient record writing. The course is compulsory, and attendance will be registered at all lectures and exercises. Completing the course is a requirement for starting work in the clinic.

− The students evaluate the introductory course on a special form. The evaluation is discussed at a teacher meeting, and adjustments are made to the tuition.

− All seminars are prepared by the academic staff and taught partly by them and partly by specialist dentists in the subject area.

− In the eighth semester, most seminars are PBL-based. The students are supervised and evaluated by the specialist dentist in charge.

− All clinic sessions are supervised by a specialist dentist or a member of the academic staff. The clinic sessions are divided into three sections and used for seminars, diagnosis of positional defects of the teeth and mandibular in school children and treatment of local positional defects of the teeth in the students’ own patients.

− The students write down all diagnosis, patient records and other work on special student cards which are to be signed by the teacher. This will form the basis for approval of the clinical service in this subject in accordance with the minimum requirements. Progress is evaluated at a teacher meeting at the end of each semester. All students are given feedback in writing. Extra resources are deployed to help students whose progress is poor.

− All clinical teaching is compulsory, and an attendance record will be kept. Notifications of deviation from the norm are first given verbally, then in writing

− A three-hour written test in the subject is held at the beginning of the eighth semester. This test must be passed, or written notification in relation to the level of knowledge will be given. Extra measures are offered to weak students.

− Teacher meetings, at which the teaching and the students are evaluated, are held 3 times a year.

− The teachers in the subject area participate in courses organised by the subject area.

− Approved introductory course, clinic and seminars are a requirement for taking the exam.

− The subject is concluded with a four-hour written exam.

− The exam will be evaluated by an internal and an external examiner.

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Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints (The KOS Block) The subjects of the KOS block

Oral surgery and oral medicine, oral radiology, oral pathology and forensic dentistry are the key partners. The topics stomatognathic physiology, oral pharmacology, oral microbiology and endodontics are also included, as well as other dental and health subjects as required.

The Contents of the KOS Block

The KOS block includes diseases, pain, deformities and injuries in the oro-maxillo-facial area, and it is divided into the following topics:

- Patient assessment and patient records

- Tissue reactions

- Examination techniques and sample taking

- Hygiene and surgery

- Dental eruption problems

- Infections

- Cysts

- Skin and mucous membrane complaints

- Oro-facial pain and mandibular joint problems

- Tumours and reactive changes

- Salivary glands and maxillary sinuses

- Traumatology (head, facial and mandibular injuries and dental traumas*)

- Methods for the replacement of missing teeth (braces, autotransplantation of teeth and dental implants)

- Mandibular anomalies, defects and rehabilitation

- Radiation injuries to soft tissue and bone resulting from the treatment of cancer in the head/neck region

* Endodontics, Pedodontics and Oral surgery and oral medicine have drawn up a joint interdisciplinary teaching programme for dental trauma. Teaching in the autumn semester is organised under Pedodontics.

For more details about the KOS block, see this web address: http://www.uib.no/odfa/undervisning/index.htm


Knowledge

The students are expected to acquire sufficient theoretical knowledge to be able to carry out a practical/clinical examination, radiographic assessment and also to take independent responsibility for the patient’s primary diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment, medication and follow-up. They should have sufficient knowledge of oral pathology to be able to understand a histological description and know which treatment is required on the basis of the diagnosis. They should be able to interpret results from a microbiological examination included in

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patient treatment. Students should also learn to understand their own professional limitations and be able to refer patients to specialists to guarantee them the best possible care.

Skills

The teaching of clinical skills is done by the subject areas Oral surgery and oral medicine and Oral radiology. See separate course descriptions for Oral surgery and oral medicine and Oral radiology.

Attitudes

The students are expected to develop ethical attitudes to ensure that they, as qualified dentists, will treat and take care of their patients in the manner required by the health authorities and expected by patients.


Teaching in the KOS block is interdisciplinary, integrated and case and problem-oriented. Teaching takes the form of lectures/seminars with one or more academic teachers/clinical specialists present, at which interdisciplinary discussion is encouraged in order to activate the students. All learning material is available on the faculty intranet (the KOS block home page and/or the student portal). Teaching extends over 4 semesters (fourth and fifth year of studies). The students in each year are divided into 4 groups, and each group is assigned one or more thematic assignments in each course. The assignments usually include both a clinical description and follow-up with relevant examinations (X-ray, microscopic image of biopsy, microbiology). The student will make a diagnosis and suggest treatment based on this information. To conclude a topic, each group presents their solution of one assignment in a plenary meeting at which the rest of the class and the subject teachers have an opportunity to comment on their presentation. The group's final answer is based on the plenary discussion and feedback from subject teachers. The teacher responsible for the topic will post the answers to the assignments on the home page of the KOS block after they have been approved and commented upon.

Clinical teaching is described under the course description for Oral surgery and oral medicine.

A three-hour integrated semester test will be held at the end of the eighth and ninth semesters, and an integrated six-hour written exam will be held at the end of the tenth semester. If the semester test is not passed, a student can resit the test up to 2 times. Evaluation of clinical service is described under the course descriptions for Oral surgery and oral medicine and Oral radiology.

Stomatognathic Physiology (The KOS block)

Stomatognathic physiology deals with the functional anatomy, physiology, function and dysfunction of the mastication apparatus, and with examination, diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders.


The candidate shall be able to explain:

− the mastication apparatus, its function, the main dysfunctions, their epidemiology and symptomatology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment

− How stomatognathic-physiological aspects affect other clinical disciplines

Knowledge

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The candidate should know

− the functional anatomy and physiology of the mastication apparatus and normal mandibular functions

− common temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), their symptomatology, epidemiology, etiology, diagnostics and treatment

− his or her own limitations in the treatment of patients with TMD

Skills


− register intermaxillary relations and use equipment for simulation of mandibular movement

− examine patients with TMD and diagnose various forms of these complaints

− inform the patient about the probable causality and possible development

− give instruction in muscle exercises and make night guards of common types

− perform simple corrective grinding of interferences


Teaching includes lectures, seminars and a clinic in both the KOS block and in General Dental Practice.

The course concludes with an exam in the KOS block.

Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine Contents

The subject area includes diseases, pain, deformities and injuries in the oro-maxillo-facial area.


The candidates are expected to have up-to-date and research-based knowledge and skills at a general practise level in:

− evaluating patients' general medical status in relation to dental treatment

− examining patients for pain, injuries, pathological conditions and other complaints of the mandibular joint, mouth and adjoining parts of the face

− being able to interpret biopsy results and haematological and microbiological tests

− making diagnoses, assessing indications and making decisions on treatment

− being able to give the patient advice in relation to this

− being able to perform common oral surgical procedures such as:

- biopsies and sample taking

- surgical removal of the labial or lingual frenum

- tooth extractions

- surgical removal of teeth

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- surgical removal of residual roots

- removal of simple impacted teeth

- simple soft tissue surgery

- treating oral medical conditions

- making and adjusting night guards for the treatment of dysfunction-related muscular pain and mandibular joint problems

− being able to prioritise treatment by degree of urgency

− being able to diagnose and treat common complications

− being able to determine when an injury, a pathological condition or complaint of the face, mandibular and mouth requires specialist treatment in the dental health service or health service

− knowing referral procedures and the possibilities for cooperation as well as being able to follow up patients after completed specialist treatment


All clinical teachers follow the theoretical teaching in the KOS block as an introduction, and later as an updating of the students’ learning requirements.

The students have compulsory clinical service at the Clinic of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine and at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital. During their clinic service, the students will examine, treat and follow up patients with a varied spectrum of conditions Oral surgery and oral medicine. In addition, the students will gain experience in assisting in operations and practise performing simple oral surgical procedures themselves. Seminars and case discussions about selected clinical topics are also included in the clinic service.

Records and notes will be kept of all patient contact and procedures and approved by academic teachers/specialist dentists and dentists in specialist training, and such contact and procedures will be registered continuously for each student. This registration is used to allocate clinical activity so that all students are given an opportunity to participate in patient treatment based on the available outpatient specialist referrals.

Towards the end of each semester, individual clinical activity is evaluated in relation to the attendance requirement (85 per cent of the clinical sessions offered) as well as quality and quantity in relation to varied treatment procedures. The student will be offered extra clinical service if there is reason to believe that the student will not meet the performance requirement for the semester.

The registration also forms the basis for statistics concerning to the quantity and level of quality of the clinical activity at class level.

Clinical service in oral surgery and oral medicine must be approved before the student can take the final exam in the KOS block. Before final approval of the clinic, students who it is assumed will not meet the approval requirements must be given written notification and offered extra clinical service no less than 1 (one) month before the exam.

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Pedodontics Contents

Pedodontics deals with prevention and treatment of developmental disorders and diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue in children and adolescents 0 to 18 years of age, including disabled and sick children. This includes knowledge and practical clinical skills in the following topics:

− Behavioural aspects of pedodontics (clinical communication, anxiety, refusal, pain control, sedatives/general anaesthesia etc.)

− Tooth development and eruption abnormalities

− Cariology (caries, tooth decay)

− Periodontics (diseases of the gingiva and periodontal membrane)

− Endodontics (root treatment)

− Traumatology (trauma to teeth and their supporting tissue)

− Interceptive orthodontics (prevention and treatment of minor positional defects of teeth)

− Juvenile prosthodontics (simple dental prostheses)

− Dental care for disabled and sick children

− Social aspects of pedodontics (the multicultural society, social risk factors, neglect, child abuse etc.)


The principal objective of the teaching is that the candidate shall acquire the knowledge and practical/clinical skills necessary to take responsibility for the dental care of children and the disabled.

Knowledge

The candidate should be knowledgeable in all the topics (see above) included in pedodontics. The candidate is expected to have a particularly thorough knowledge of the following:

- Behavioural aspects: Why children of different ages and stages of development refuse/cannot cope with dental treatment, and the options available for the prevention and handling of this problem

− Developmental disorders: Causes and clinical picture for the most common developmental disorders affecting teeth and the surrounding tissues

− Cariology: Caries epidemiology and caries risk (population, individual, dentition), principles of prevention, diagnostics and treatment

− Traumatology: Diagnosis and treatment of all types of dental trauma

− Sick and disabled children: How oral and general health influence each other, and why they should be seen in relation to each other when assessing the need for dental care

Skills


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− communicate with children and their parents or guardians in a manner that is expedient considering what is best for the child’s dental health

− carry out an adequate examination and diagnosis of the common diseases and developmental disorders of the teeth and their surrounding tissues in children and adolescents. The candidate should also be able to detect rare anomalies and see the need to refer the patient for further examination and treatment.

− plan treatment and carry out prophylaxis and therapy for the common dental diseases (caries and periodontal disease) and developmental disorders of the teeth (anomalies in the number and shape of teeth, mineralisation disorders, eruption disorders)

− diagnose and treat commonly occurring dental trauma. For more complicated trauma, the candidate should be able to provide appropriate first aid before referring the patient

− use adequate pain control, prevent and treat refusal of treatment and dental phobia using psychological and pharmacological methods

− cooperate with other personnel in the dental health team (dental chairside assisstant, dental hygienist, specialists) and other health personnel who work with children and adolescents.


− Teaching takes the form of preparatory courses, lectures, seminars and clinic.

− In the preparatory course the students practise the most common forms of clinical treatment. The course concludes with an internal test qualifying for entering the clinic. Work requirement: A certain number of work units in the clinic is required.

− Research-based teaching is ensured by 1) the academic staff having an obligation to teach at the clinic, 2) the clinical teachers receiving hand-outs from the lectures and listen in on the lectures if they can, 3) the clinical teachers holding seminars that have been prepared and quality assured by the academic staff, and 4) regular teacher/staff meetings on relevant topics.

− The internal test after the introductory preparatory course is evaluated by an internal examiner.

− The course concludes with a written exam with an internal and an external examiner.

The preparatory course begins with a two-hour group work session and plenary discussion about how to establish a good learning environment. The course ends with a test multiple choice. The test must be passed to begin clinical service. Immediately after the test, the students are given the correct answers.

Attendance records are kept for the compulsory part of the course (clinic and seminars). Minor deviations from the norm will be pointed out verbally, more serious ones in writing.

The students register the number of approved clinical activities on a special student card. These cards form an important basis for the evaluation of progress and whether or not the amount of clinical work units satisfy the course requirements.

The students’ clinical progress is evaluated 3 times, at the end of the eighth and ninth semesters, and at the end of the course. The students receive oral feedback from the group teacher. Students who deviate seriously from normal progression are also given written feedback. Extra follow-up in the clinic is offered if necessary.

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A four-hour written exam is arranged at the end of the tenth semester. The clinical course must be approved before the exam can be taken.

Community Dentistry Contents

Community dentistry is concerned with oral health and dentistry as a group phenomenon, on a scientific basis and in a social perspective. Important topics are epidemiology with research methodology and applied statistics, demography, health-promotion and disease-prevention, health, social and dental services, legislation, management and administration.

The subject area is responsible for the students’ extramural study period, including the preparation and evaluation.


After having completed the course and the extramural study period, the candidate is expected to be able to take responsibility for the population’s oral health and to practise dentistry in accordance with relevant dental knowledge, the population’s needs, wishes and expectations, and in accordance with current legislation, regulations and financial constraints.

Knowledge


− the epidemiological situation for the most important oral diseases/conditions and their determinants

− simple statistics and other methods used in community dentistry research

− the objectives, organisation, resources and function of the health and social sectors

− different models for dental care/health-promotion and disease-prevention, how dental care programmes can be planned and evaluated

− health behaviour and motivation, including the theoretical basis for achieving change in attitudes and behaviour

− the objectives, organisation, resources and function of the dental health service

− current health legislation, national insurance and social services, quality assurance and social and ethical norms

Skills


− use basic knowledge of statistics and research methods to critically evaluate community dentistry literature

− use simple statistics and research methods in the analysis, planning and evaluation of dental health services

− evaluate the objectives, organisation, resources and function of the dental health service

− describe the use of different strategies in health-promotion and disease prevention

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− communicate and cooperate with personnel in the dental, health and social sectors as well as with administrative bodies, the population and its elected representatives about dental health matters

Attitudes


- have developed positive attitudes towards measures to protect or improve the oral health of the individual and/or the population

- recognise that knowledge must be maintained and renewed


The teaching programme includes lectures, seminars, an assignment/report and extramural studies in the Norwegian Public Dental Service.

Evaluation is by a written report from the extramural study period and a four-hour written exam at the end of the ninth semester. External and internal examiners are used.

Extramural studies (Community Dentistry)

Community dentistry has overall responsibility for the students’ extramural study period, including the preparation and its evaluation.

Contents

The extramural studies are intended to prepare the candidate for working life and ease the transition from being a student to practising as a dentist. Through the teaching of clinical subjects and community dentistry, and through experience, observation and interviews, the student will acquire an increased understanding of how the dental services are organised and function in practice, as well as the problems facing patients and different types of dental health personnel.


On completion of their extramural studies, the candidate should:

− be able to describe and understand the problems facing both patients and dental health personnel

− have acquired a certain knowledge of most types of dental health services

− recognise the necessity of a preventive dental care profile

− recognise and understand the need for efficient communication with patients, auxiliary personnel, colleagues and other partners (including team work)

− have gained insight into the organisation, administration, financing and running of the dental service

− have demonstrated powers of observation and an ability to critically evaluate dental health services

A detailed description of the learning objectives is found in the handbook for extramural studies.

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The extramural course is compulsory and consists of lectures, seminars and a three-week practical training period in the Norwegian Public Dental Service, including the writing of a report.

Written reports and oral feedback in follow-up seminars are organised by Community dentistry.

Written reports are evaluated as approved/not approved.

The extramural course is evaluated by the student and the external supervisor using forms specially designed for the purpose. Students and supervisors receive formal feedback every year.

Integrated Master’s Thesis Contents

The integrated Master’s thesis consists of 3 parts.

Part 1: Medical statistics (See separate description of medical statistics, first year of studies)

Part 2: Report from extramural study period (report-writing and presentation)

Part 3: Project assignment (including start-up seminar, library course, writing course and presentation seminar)

The students will acquire basic skills in used in dentistry research methods, including practise in the critical evaluation of scientific literature, as well as experience in presenting scientific material verbally and in writing.

The project assignment will be based on literature studies, case histories or participation in research projects.


After completing work on the integrated master’s thesis, the candidate is expected to have developed a critical scientific attitude and be able to communicate his or her own findings as well as those of others orally and in writing, academically correctly and understandable to colleagues.

The candidate shall be able to:

− use methods for dental and health-related research

− use critical thinking and to evaluate scientific literature and projects critically

− engage in in-depth study

− present scientific material orally and in writing

− work independently

− carry out self-study of scientific literature


Time is reserved to work on the project one day a week in the seventh to tenth semesters.

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In the seventh semester, a start-up seminar, library course and writing course is held for the fourth year students. The community dentistry course includes teaching and a seminar on research methods.

The students work on their assignment either individually or cooperate in pairs.

The students are presented with assignment proposals from the subject areas, but may also suggest topics themselves. The faculty’s research leaders shall make an effort to include students in existing research projects.

The student(s) and the supervisor enter into an academic supervision contract. A member of staff with scientific competence signs as main supervisor. The academic supervision contract specifies the rights and obligations of the candidate and the supervisor. Research fellows should take active part in supervision and assist the main supervisor.

The submitted thesis will be assessed by the supervisor and an internal examiner. The examiner must be an employee with scientific competence, preferably from another subject area. The student will receive feedback within 3 weeks of submission. The thesis has legally the same status as an exam, and it is evaluated using the ECTS Pass/Fail scale. The title of the thesis will be entered in the student’s diploma.

An oral presentation of the Master’s thesis for fellow students, teachers and any invited guests is scheduled for the middle of the tenth semester.

Fifth Year At the end of the fifth year, the candidate is expected to have acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes expected of a dentist in general practice.

The autumn semester begins with a three-week period of extramural studies in the Norwegian Public Dental Service.

Teaching in General Dental Practice, Oro-maxillo-facial diseases and complaints, Oral surgery and oral medicine, Pedodontics and Community dentistry continues. The clinical activities include extramural work in Gerodontology and Oral surgery and oral medicine. Work on the integrated Master’s thesis continues and is concluded.

Subjects

# «General Dental Practice»

- Endodontics

- Gerodontology

- Cariology

- Periodontics

- Prosthodontics

- Forensic Dentistry

# « Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints » (The KOS Block)»

- Stomatognathic Physiology

- Endodontics

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- Pharmacology

- Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine

- Oral Microbiology

- Oral Pathology

- Oral Radiology

# Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine

# Pedodontics

# Community Dentistry

BLOCKS AND SUBJECTS

«General Dental Practice» The “General Dental Practice” block is described under the fourth year.

«Oro-maxillo-facial Diseases and Complaints» The KOS Block is described under the fourth year.

«Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine» The subject is described under the fourth year.

Pedodontics Description provided under the fourth year.

Forensic Dentistry (General Dental Practice)

Contents

Forensic Dentistry is the study of how dental knowledge can be used in the service of the court.


The student is expected to be able to explain the role of the dentist in judicial matters.

Knowledge


- the requirements for contents and safekeeping of a dental patient record

- dental identification procedures in both individual cases and mass fatalities

- methods of age assessment using the teeth

- procedures for securing dental evidence

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Skills

The student should be able to:

- assist the police in cases requiring knowledge of forensic dentistry as mentioned above

- act as an expert witness in a court of law

Attitudes

The student should develop respect for the work done in forensic dentistry. This includes both the identification of dead persons, criminal cases and age assessment.


Teaching is in the form of lectures.

Evaluation is included as part of the final General Dental Practice exam.

Community Dentistry Description provided under the fourth year.

Extramural Studies (Community Dentistry)

Description provided under the fourth year.

Integrated Master’s Thesis Description provided under the fourth year.

Documents

Studyplan Master of Dentistry