Faculty of dentistry

The course in Dentistry offered by State establishment Lugansk State Medical University (LSNMU ) is designed for students who would like to study and train in dental sciences. Dentistry is the division of medicine that studies the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions and disorders in the oral cavity and other associated structures, and their effect on the human body. Good dental health is considered vital for the overall health of humans. Dentists have supporting teams that comprise of dental assistants, technicians, assistants and therapists.

Traces of dentistry can be seen as early as 7000 BC in the Indus Valley Civilization. Over the centuries, dental treatments have been use to solve various ailments. The practice is evident in a lot of ancient cultures including those of India, Japan, Egypt and Greece. Today, dentistry has become increasingly popular and is a vital part of every health care institute. Dentistry as a medical field is developing and rapidly changing. It now even involves cosmetology. The awareness of people is increasing and so is the importance of dental care and hygiene. Dentists give medical, surgical and other treatments for all kinds of dental disorders. The most common procedures performed by dentists are crowning, filling, scaling, extracting teeth, tooth replacements and treating gum diseases.

Dentists can practice privately or find employment in hospitals or other health care establishments. A large majority of dentists worldwide are solo practitioners or own clinics with partners. There are a lot of opportunities in research and development of dentistry as well.

This course teaches subjects like Physiological Sciences, Foundations of Dental Practice, Dental Biochemistry, Oral Anatomy & Histology, Topics in Clinical Dentistry, Dentistry (Endodontic, Prosthetics, and Operative), and Advanced Topics in Clinical Dentistry, Dental Clinical Practice, Medicine and Surgery for Dental Practice, Dental Public Health and Special Needs Dentistry.

About the course

The course in Dentistry in Lugansk State Medical University aims at preparing students for the industry by equipping them with all the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It will increase the number and quality of trained professionals that are an important part of all heath care organizations and institutes.

At the dentistry faculty the curriculum is worked out for five academic years. The students master the basic subjects of medical and biological profile, as well as various clinical disciplines, which are so necessary for a dentist. On condition of successful completion of study the graduates are given the Diploma of a doctor – dentist. The curriculum foresees the further postgraduate education. The degree awarded is BDS.

For the junior courses students study theoretical disciplines and beginning from the fourth course, they start studying clinical disciplines. At junior courses students study theoretical disciplines and, beginning from the fourth course, they start studying clinical disciplines. Among them there are therapeutic and orthopaedic stomatology. The chairs of anatomy, histology, normal physiology, biochemistry, general chemistry, having wonderful traditions in organization of educational process and high skilled teachers, could do profiles for the teaching of their disciplines, taking into account the faculty’s specificity.

For mastering the propaedeutic course by students the departments were well equipped additional premises, acquired a necessary quantity of visual aids and special apparatus. All employees of the chairs and students took an active part in making the educational manuals. A metal-ceramic laboratory and a laboratory for high frequency melting and casting of dentures are specially organised.

At special dental departments the students study principal actual problems of dentistry: caries, parodonthosis, diseases of the mucous membrane in the mouth cavity. The principle task of the dental faculty is perfection of higher dentistry education, raising the quality of doctors dental training.

At the faculty they worked out and applied the complex of methodical ways for optimization of educational process, which is aimed at activisation of cognitive activity of students, development of habits for educational and researching work, training the creative method of approach for professional activity. The stomatological faculty helps the students to obtain good knowledge in the dental field. It grows and develops, absorbing all the best from the experience of the University’s work.

The course studies dentistry for an international perspective and prepares students for a successful career in the industry. Some of the modules taught in this program include:

  • Physiological Sciences
  • Foundations of Dental Practice
  • Oral Microbiology
  • Oral Anatomy & Histology
  • Dental Biochemistry
  • Dental Pathophysiology
  • Dentistry (Operative, Endodontic, Prosthetics)
  • Dentistry (Operative)
  • Dental Practice
  • Dental Clinical Practice
  • Topics in Clinical Dentistry
  • Medicine and Surgery for Dental Practice
  • Gerodontics, Special Needs Dentistry, Dental Public Health
  • Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services

Physiological Sciences: This subject will be taught in two levels, foundation and advanced. It studies the human body with an integrated approach. The main focus of this module will be the physiological processes that underlie each body function. An introduction to terminology and biology will be followed by a more comprehensive study in the physiology of the nervous, skeletal, muscular, cutaneous and endocrine systems.

Foundations of Dental Practice: This module will introduce the students to clinical aspects of dentistry through laboratory exercises, observational clinical exposure and theory. The foundations of chemistry and physics will be studied. Students will study oral disease, tooth morphology and the pathophysiology of periodontal disease. Basics of dental lab techniques and skill will also be taught.

Oral Microbiology: The effect of microorganisms on humans will be examined. Immunology, infection and inflammation will be central to this subject. Students will be taught to identify and cultivate microorganisms. Microorganisms that are relevant to oral diseases will be studied in detail and so will their disease causing mechanisms.

Oral Anatomy & Histology: Oral health science is the main area covered in this module. The oral microbial ecosystem is introduced and the function and structure of oral soft and hard tissues are examined. Teeth and human dentitions are introduced in relation to comparative anatomy and society. Generic tooth and its tissue structure, emergence-eruption, tooth classification, dental embryology and the function and structure of human’s oral mucosa and the salivary glands are examined in detail.

Dental Biochemistry: The function and structure of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids are studied. The metabolism of calcium and phosphorous is also examined, and the basics of nutritional biochemistry are touched upon. This subject forms that foundation for further studied in immunology, pharmacology-therapeutics, applied genetics and pathology.

Dental Pathophysiology: Students will be taught about the cellular, biochemical and tissue reactions that arise due to cell, body organ and tissue injury. It will be studied in the context of the pathogenesis and aetiology of basic processes like inflammation, degeneration, hypertrophy, healing, immunological reactivity and neoplasia. It will also give students details and the capability to diagnose pathology related to teeth in their post eruptive and embryonic environments.

Dentistry (Operative, Endodontic, Prosthetics): This module encompasses a lot of practical training that will be carried out in a clinic. The laboratory will be the basis of this subject and there will be an emphasis on dentures and the interaction of temporo-mandibular joints with muscles.

Dentistry (Operative): The practical aspects of the restoration and extraction of teeth will be studied. The management of dental caries will also be covered in term of its practical implications. The hand-eye coordination that dentistry requires will be covered here. Dental Practice: The section gives students the opportunity to undergo a practical program relevant to the course. The students will be allowed to develop their dental skills in real clinical environments. It will continue in dental clinical practice where the nature of the student’s tasks will become more complex.

Medicine and Surgery for Dental Practice: Students will be trained in the management, nature and causes of diseases. The respiratory system will be discusses along with the gastro intestinal system, cardiovascular system, the skin, liver, bones and kidneys. Central nervous system disorders that are relevant are also studied.

Foundations of Psychology for Health and Human Services: The basics of psychology are taught in this module. Its professional and scientific development is focused upon. Important areas like social psychology, health psychology, psychological disorders, developmental psychology and personality are studied.

Gerodontics, Special Needs Dentistry, Dental Public Health: Gerodontics specializes in the dental health of the elderly. It studies the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of dental diseases in the old. Special needs dentistry addresses dentistry for those who have disabilities or are suffering for other physical, medical or psychiatric conditions. Dental public health focusses on improving the dental health of communities and populations rather than specific people or individuals.

Why choose this course?

The Dentistry course offered by Lugansk State Medical University equips students with all the necessary knowledge and skills that dentist’s need. It improves the career prospects and immediate job opportunities post-graduation as students are taught keeping the latest industry trends in mind. It helps students grow in the dental care business and inculcates all important characteristics that these health care professionals need.

The subjects covered in this course encompass all important topics relating to the theory and practice of dentistry. The course is structured in such a way that it facilitates easy adaptation from the classroom to the industry. Students are known to travel from different parts of the world to study this course, making the atmosphere cross-cultural, diverse and interactive.

Career prospects for students

Graduates in dentistry can pursue further education in the field that will lead to a successful career. It also gives students the chance to specialize in a specific part of dentistry. Careers that dentists can embark upon after completing this course include:

  • Dental practice
  • Esthetic improvement
  • Public education
  • Research and development