Dentistry Program Learning Objectives

The main educational objectives of the degree, as set out in section 3 of Order CIN 2136/2008, are:

  1. Identify the essential elements of the dental profession, including ethical principles and legal responsibilities.
  2. Understand the importance of these principles for the benefit of patients, society, and the profession, with particular attention to professional confidentiality.
  3. Identify patients’ concerns and expectations, and communicate effectively and clearly—both orally and in writing—with patients, family members, the media, and other professionals.
  4. Understand and recognise the social and psychological factors relevant to patient care.
  5. Apply the principles of anxiety and stress management to oneself, patients, and other members of the dental team.
  6. Understand the importance of developing a professional practice that respects patient autonomy, beliefs, and culture.
  7. Promote autonomous learning of new knowledge and techniques, as well as motivation towards quality.
  8. Share information with other healthcare professionals and work effectively in a team.
  9. Understand the importance of maintaining and using patient records for subsequent analysis, while preserving data confidentiality.
  10. Recognise and identify the psychological and physical consequences of gender-based violence, equipping students with the skills needed for prevention, early detection, care, and rehabilitation of victims.
  11. Understand the basic biomedical sciences on which Dentistry is founded to ensure appropriate oral care.
  12. Understand and recognise the normal structure and function of the stomatognathic system at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels throughout the stages of life.
  13. Understand and recognise the science of biomaterials essential to dental practice, as well as the immediate management of potential allergies to them.
  14. Understand the general processes of disease, including infection, inflammation, immune system disorders, degeneration, neoplasia, metabolic alterations, and genetic disorders.
  15. Be familiar with the general pathological characteristics of diseases and disorders affecting organ systems, particularly those with oral implications.
  16. Understand the mechanisms of action, indications, and effectiveness of medicines and other therapeutic interventions, recognising their contraindications, interactions, and systemic effects, based on available scientific evidence.
  17. Understand and recognise the principles of ergonomics and workplace safety (including cross-infection control, radiation protection, and occupational and biological diseases).
  18. Identify, critically assess, and effectively use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organise, interpret, and communicate scientific and health-related knowledge.
  19. Understand the scientific method and develop the critical capacity to evaluate established knowledge and new information. Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically assess data, and apply it to problem-solving following the scientific method.
  20. Obtain and prepare a clinical history that includes all relevant information.
  21. Carry out a complete oral examination, including appropriate radiographic and supplementary tests, as well as obtaining suitable clinical references.
  22. Demonstrate the ability to make an initial diagnostic judgement and establish a reasoned diagnostic strategy, with competence in recognising situations that require urgent dental care.
  23. Establish the diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate therapeutic planning across all clinical areas of Dentistry, demonstrating competence in diagnosing, prognosing, and preparing treatment plans for patients requiring special care, including medically compromised patients (such as those with diabetes, hypertension, immunodeficiency, anticoagulation, etc.) and patients with disabilities.
  24. Recognise life-threatening situations and perform basic life support techniques.
  25. Understand and apply the basic treatment of the most common oral pathologies in patients of all ages. Therapeutic procedures should be based on the concept of minimal invasiveness and on a comprehensive, integrated approach to oral care.
  26. Plan and perform multidisciplinary, sequential, and integrated dental treatments of limited complexity in patients of all ages and conditions, including those requiring special care.
  27. Propose and recommend preventive measures appropriate to each clinical situation.
  28. Acquire clinical experience under appropriate supervision.
  29. Recognise the determinants of oral health in the population, both genetic and those related to lifestyle, demographic, environmental, social, economic, psychological, and cultural factors.
  30. Recognise the role of the dentist in the prevention and protection against oral diseases, as well as in the maintenance and promotion of health at both the individual and community levels.
  31. Understand the National Health System, along with the basic aspects of health legislation, clinical management, and the appropriate use of health resources, while recognising the importance of the dentist’s role in primary healthcare.