Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery

The purpose of the programme is that students should acquire an academic professional qualification that results in the knowledge and skills required to work independently as a dentist in general dentistry. The programme is the basis for Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare issuing a licence as a dentist. The programme is also the basis of a general degree at master’s level and preparation for further studies at third-cycle level.

This programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery (Tandläkarexamen). This programme leads to a Degree of Master of Dental Science (120 credits) with a major in Odontology (Odontologie masterexamen med huvudområdet Odontologi).

On completing the programme (300 higher education credits), the Master of Science in Dental Surgery degree certificate (tandläkarexamen) is issued at the student’s request. The programme’s courses are also the basis for a general degree at master’s level.

The pedagogy used at the Sahlgrenska Academy is research-based and involves: a problematisation of the programme’s content; and, various forms of teaching for different content and contexts. The programme is based on a humanist view of man, the basic idea of which is that every person has an inherent intrinsic value and thereby basic rights. It is also important to understand the ethical requirements imposed by the dental profession and the moral dilemmas that can arise in care.

As a part of the development of a holistic approach and an understanding of the need for integration of theory and practice, the student is, through work placement training, given the opportunity to obtain an early insight into clinical activities. Additionally, the student is given the opportunity to obtain insight into the need for knowledge of both the individual’s and surrounding society’s conditions. Throughout the programme, there are student-activating elements that contribute to: training in critical thinking; independence; and, taking personal responsibility for own studies. Active acquisition of theoretical knowledge is largely based on own analyses of scientific literature and discussions in seminars.

The practical training at first-cycle level is intervention-centred in the form of courses in clinical techniques. Three main elements characterise these courses: practising of clinical elements(mainly on models); independent reflection; and, discussion of the carrying out of work. Entry into the clinical tradition also takes place through participation in recurring, patient-centred “clinical dialogues”. The programme shall develop the student’s ability to: independently formulate problems that have clinical ties; and, analyse, communicate and present said problems.

In the second-cycle degree programme, the student deepens and develops his/her knowledge,skills and abilities from the first-cycle level. This is primarily done through patient-centred activities and an independent, scientific project. The supervisor is responsible for the patient, but gradually allows the student to assume more and more of the clinical practice. Clinical reflection (i.e. relating patient care to relevant scientific literature, values, ethical issues, independent reflection and evaluation) is a central theme throughout the programme. The objective is that the student should develop his/her ability to: independently integrate; use knowledge; and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations.

Year 1 

Introductory Course, 3 credits

Basic Anatomy, 3 credits

Man in Health 1, 24 credits

Man in Health 2, 22 credits

Dental Public Health, 4 credits

Psychology and Communication, 4 credits

Year 2 

Man in Ill-Health 1, 28 credits

Theory of Science and Basic Biostatistics, 2 credits

Man in Ill-Health 2, 18 credits

Diagnostics and Patient-Dentist Relationship 1, 2 credits

Prevention and Health Education, 10 credits

Year 3 

Diagnostics and Patient-Dentist Relationship 2, 10 credits

Pharmacology, 5 credits

Anesthesia, 2 credits

Oral Rehabilitation 1, 12 credits

Treatment strategies, 1 credit

Oral Rehabilitation 2, 12 credits

Clinical training 1, 3 credits

Clinical Odontological Pharmacology, 2 credits

Scientific Methods, 4 credits

Clinical Dentistry 1, 9 credits

Year 4 

Degree Project in Odontology Part 1, 10 credits

Clinical Dentistry 2, 10 credits

Adult Clinic 1, 10 credits

Clinical Dentistry 3, 10 credits

Adult Clinic 2, 10 credits

Degree Project in Odontology Part 2, 10 credits

Year 5 

Adult Clinic 3, 10 credits

Children Dentistry 1, 10 credits

Degree Project in Odontology Part 3, 10 credits

Adult Clinic 4, 10 credits

Children Dentistry 2, 10 credits

Gerodontology, 4 credits

Leadership, 6 credits

General outcomes for Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery 

Scope 

A Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 300 credits.

Outcomes 

For a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery the student shall demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for registration as a dentist.

Knowledge and understanding 

For a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field and insight into current research and development work as well as the links between research and proven experience and the significance of these links for professional practice
• demonstrate specialised knowledge and understanding of the link between oral health and a patient's general state of health and medical status as well as other underlying factors
• demonstrate knowledge about men's violence against women and violence in close relationships 
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the products and materials used in dentistry and their influence on health in general, oral health and the environment
• demonstrate economic and organisational knowledge of significance for dentistry, and
• demonstrate knowledge of relevant statutory provisions. 

Competence and skills 

For a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses and anomalies of the teeth, oral cavity, jaws and surrounding tissue in patients of different ages and with different needs
• demonstrate the ability to initiate and undertake health promotion and preventive dental measures for both individuals and groups of patients
• demonstrate specialised skills in planning, managing and coordinating dental interventions
• demonstrate the ability to evaluate odontological treatment, placing special importance on quality assurance
• demonstrate specialised skills in teamwork and in cooperating with all categories of dental professionals and other professional groups in the health and care services, and
• demonstrate the ability to review, assess and use relevant information autonomously and critically and also to discuss new data, phenomena and issues in the field of odontology on a disciplinary basis. 

Judgement and approach 

For a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery the student shall

• demonstrate self-awareness and the capacity for empathy
• demonstrate the ability to assess interventions using a holistic approach to individuals informed by the relevant disciplinary, social and ethical aspects and taking particular account of human rights
• demonstrate the ability to adopt a professional approach in order to safeguard and respect the needs of patients, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and undertake ongoing development of his or her skills. 

Independent project (degree project) 

A requirement for the award of a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits.

Miscellaneous 

Specific requirements determined by each higher education institution itself within the parameters of the requirements laid down in this qualification descriptor shall also apply for a Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery.

General outcomes for Degree of Master (120 credits) 

Knowledge and understanding 

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study. 

Competence and skills 

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity. 

Judgement and approach 

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning. 

Students who have commenced studies under an earlier programme syllabus and who must, on resuming after approved leave from studies, continue under said programme shall, for the planning of their further studies, contact the study counselling service.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg).

Entry requirements for admission to further studies in the programme are prescribed in each course syllabus.

There is the possibility of international exchanges for the credit transfer of equivalent courses in the degree programme.

The language of instruction is Swedish, but there may be courses in English. English and Swedish literature is used.

All courses are continuously evaluated orally and in writing. At the end of the programme, there is evaluation of the entire dentistry programme and of all parties involved. There is feedback to the students. Based on these evaluations, there is continuous quality improvement of courses and programmes.

All operations at the Sahlgrenska Academy shall promote a sustainable development that entails present and future generations being assured a good and healthy environment, economic and social welfare and justice.

Students who follow the program at the prescribed pace have guaranteed admission to the courses within the program.