Students’ appraisal of their dental education related to basic sciences learning: a comparison of four curricula in Norway and Brazil

Authors

  • Cassiano Kuchenbecker Rösing UFRGS
  • Rui Vicente Oppermann UFRGS
  • Debora Trevisan Silva ULBRA
  • Patrícia Regina Deon ULBRA
  • Per Gjermo University of Oslo

Keywords:

Basic sciences, curriculum development, dental education

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the dental students’ opinion on the importance of basic sciences learning for their dental education. Methods: Four dental curricula (two from Norway and two from Brazil) were evaluated. The University of Oslo (UiO) has changed its dental curriculum from a traditional system to a PBL format more integrated with the medical curriculum, whereas the Brazilian curricula are traditional. Sample comprised 22 students in training under the old curriculum (UiOold) and 28 students under the new curriculum of the University of Oslo (UiO-new), and 25 students from each of the two evaluated Brazilian universities (UFRGS and ULBRA). Faculty heads of clinical and basic science disciplines also were interviewed (UiO n=17, UFRGS n=10, ULBRA n=13). Results: Most dental students, particularly the UiO-new (75%), reported that basic sciences learning and training should be identical for dental and medical students. Anatomy and Pathology were rated the most important disciplines by the dental students, followed by Microbiology, Histology and Biochemistry. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the importance of basic sciences is recognized by dental students in Brazil and in Norway independently from their dental curriculum. Key words: Basic sciences; curriculum development; dental education

Author Biographies

Cassiano Kuchenbecker Rösing, UFRGS

Professor da área de Periodontia da UFRGS e da ULBRA na graduação e pós graduação.

Rui Vicente Oppermann, UFRGS

Doutor em Odontologia, Professor Titular de Periodontia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

Debora Trevisan Silva, ULBRA

Cirurgiã-Dentista – Clínica particular

Patrícia Regina Deon, ULBRA

Mestre em Periodontia – Clínica particular

Per Gjermo, University of Oslo

Doutor em Odontologia, Professor Titular de Periodontia da Universidade de Oslo – Oslo, Noruega

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Published

2008-06-22

Issue

Section

Original Article