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Basic sciences education in the dental curriculum in Southern Europe
C Martínez-Alvarez1, M Sanz, P Berthold
1Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas I, Facultad de Odontologia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. calvarez@eucmax.sim.ucm.es
Summary
Basic science education in Southern European dental schools shows uniformity with strong medical links, though coordination with clinical dental subjects needs improvement. A shift towards modern teaching methods is emerging.
Area of Science:
- Dental Education
- Medical Education
- Basic Sciences
Background:
- Dental schools in Southern Europe were surveyed to assess current basic science education.
- Understanding the status of basic science instruction is crucial for dental curriculum development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current state of basic science education in dental schools across Southern Europe.
- To identify commonalities and variations in teaching methodologies and curriculum structure.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to dental schools in Malta, Greece, Portugal, Italy, France, and Spain.
- Data on faculty background, curriculum integration, and teaching approaches were collected.
Main Results:
- Significant uniformity exists across Southern European dental schools, with notable variations within and between countries.
- Most basic science educators hold medical degrees and are affiliated with medical schools, except in France.
- Joint courses for dental and medical students are common in half the countries; however, poor coordination between basic sciences and clinical dental subjects was observed.
Conclusions:
- Southern European dental schools exhibit a degree of consistency in basic science education, largely influenced by medical faculties.
- Traditional curricula prevail, but there's a growing trend towards self-directed learning, computer-assisted learning, and better integration with clinical dental studies.
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