Resources Allocated for Undergraduate Education in Oral Radiology in European Dentistry Programmes: A Survey Study

Abstract

Aims

The Education Committee of the European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology should ‘encourage and support high levels of graduate and postgraduate education in dentomaxillofacial radiology (DMFR) all over Europe’. For this reason, the committee aimed to formulate a document describing resources allocated for undergraduate education within oral radiology in Europe today that can serve as a benchmark against which dental schools and/or countries with dentistry programmes can relate their undergraduate education.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire addressing resources allocated for learning oral radiology was distributed to colleagues involved in oral radiology education in 117 dental schools in 29 countries in Europe.

Results

The answers represent approximately 13% of the dental schools in 40% of the countries providing dental education in Europe. There was a large variation regarding qualifications among teachers. There were also large differences in reported time dedicated to oral radiology courses, within some parts the allocated time differed by a factor 16.

Discussion

An ambition to achieve high standards in oral radiology all over Europe should, based on the results of this survey, start with an effort to attain consensus regarding the role of oral radiology in dental education. The involvement of dentists with DMFR specialist training, would support high levels of undergraduate education.

Conclusion

The results of this survey include information that educators and authorities can relate to in planning and implementation of new or revised curriculum. The ambition should be to increase teachers' competence and to work towards more harmonised and extensive courses in oral radiology.