UBT Dentistry Aims and Objectives
The aim of the program is to prepare graduates to assume responsibilities as professionals and competent dental practicioners in providing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. The Stomatology integrated program is profession-based and development-based. Profession- based means the focus of the program is professional, and that it focuses on development and changes in the dental profession and the healthcare system. Development-based means that there is a focus on trials, development and research work which illuminates the current state of professional development as well as the need for development in relation to experiences in the profession and the healthcare system.
On completion of the Integrated Studies in Stomatology, the student is qualified to work as a practitioner of stomatology and to enter into multidisciplinary collaboration. The programme provides the student with the necessary grounding in both theoretical and clinical aspects of dentistry in compliance with the general development of the society, science and technology as well as the demands for dental services in the general population. General and specific stomatology competences acquired in a development based study environment, through the following: research and selected compulsory clinical placements.
The graduates are also educated to work in health service, conducting stomatology to children, adolescents, adults, and elderly those with special needs. They will also be able to plan, conduct, evaluate and develop stomatology based on active involvement and participation of the parties affected. Through stomatology practice, students will learn to promote and maintain health as well as prepare in preventive, rehabilitating and relieving to the individuals and groups of people. The degree qualifies the candidate to seek authorisation from Kosovo Chamber of Stomatology. Kosovo is yet to implement an exteral examination and certification system. It also qualifies the student for managing care and for participating in teaching and research.
Program Learning Outcomes
There are eight categories representing the areas of professional domain of doctors of dental medicine. All those areas are interdisciplinary in their orientation encouraging critical thinking and can be applied to patients of different ages:
Professionalism – After graduation, a doctor of dental medicine is expected to be competent in a wide spectrum of skills including research, analytical and problem-oriented communication and presentation skills, which are based on contemporary knowledge. Doctors of dental medicine should understand problems related to dental profession as well as their leading role in dental practice.
Ethics and law – After graduation, doctors of dental medicine should display knowledge and understanding of moral and ethical responsibilities which are included into the patient’s care as well as care about the entire community. They should also be familiar with modern legal regulations relating to everyday clinical practice.
Communication and social skills – Doctors of dental medicine should be competent in communication with patients and their families, their associates and colleagues by respecting their age as well as their social and cultural background.
Basic knowledge – Doctors of dental medicine should be able to apply a whole range of basic concepts from biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences with the purpose of differentiating between physiological and pathological conditions.After graduation, doctors of dental medicine should possess a certain degree of ‘informatics literacy’ based on which they can collect and use information from available literature
Analysing and collecting clinical data – Obtaining and storing the entire documentation regarding the medical, oral and dental status of the patients. This should include a whole range of biological, medical, psychological and social information for the purpose of evaluation of oral and dental status of patients. Doctors of dental medicine should be able not only to maintain but also to improve their professional skills and competences throughout their entire working life.
Diagnosis and treatment planning – This, in the first place, relates to making decisions, giving clinical opinions and evaluation for the purpose of making differential, preliminary and definitive diagnoses based on the interpretation of results of clinical and radiological examination as well as application of diagnostic tests taking into account social and cultural background of patients.
Treatment – achieving and maintaining oral health. This domain represents a wide range of basic and supplementary competences needed in order to achieve and maintain oral health of patients of different age groups as well as those with special needs. After graduation, doctors of dental medicine should be aware of their abilities and limits of their work. They should also be able to refer patients to a specialist if needed.
Preventive measures and health promotion – Improving oral health on the individual level, on the level of the family and the community.