Undergraduate Orthodontic & Paediatric Dentistry Education in Europe—The DentEd Project

Abstract

As a result of a European Union funded project (DentEd), a programme of visits to dental schools throughout Europe has been underway since 1998. This report describes the philosophy behind DentEd, gives a brief description of the features of a visitation, and covers the orthodontic and paediatric dentistry teaching as reported in 26 different dental schools in 16 different countries. It is based on a report submitted to DentEd from a small working group that looked at various aspects of educational provision within the two disciplines across Europe. The value of this information to teachers within the two disciplines and to the wider dental community is briefly discussed. The report recommends the adoption of an integrated course for orthodontics and paediatric dentistry. The main objectives are that the student should be able to understand orofacial and psychosocial growth and development of the child, recognize aberrant growth and development, and manage the behaviour of the child, their straightforward preventive, restorative and occlusal needs, and to make appropriate and timely referral.

Keywords:

• Undergraduate Education
• Europe

Acknowledgments

The full membership of the working group comprised: Therese Garvey, Ilga Urtane, Antanas Sidlauskas, Elizabeth Davenport, Claus Munk, Lasi Alvesalo, M Spyropulis, Giuliano Falcolini, Liam Convery, Ilza Akota. The work was supported by the DentEd grant from the EU Thematic Network programme. Particular thanks go to Professor Derry Shanley who has led the project from its inception and has been instrumental in its success. A similar paper is being submitted to the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.