The basic science teaching experience in the Nordic countries.

Abstract

The article concerns the dental education at 10 different faculties in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The information is based upon a questionnaire to the faculties concerning the definition, the structure and succession of the basic science subjects/courses/themes/topics in the dental curriculum, the time span of the basic science teaching, and the methods of teaching. Furthermore, there is information about integration among the basic science subjects and the coordination/integration between the basic science teaching and the clinical teaching. Finally, the teachers' educational background and the cowork with the medical education is elucidated. The main findings are: the basic science teaching is structured in different ways in the Nordic countries. In Reykjavik, Bergen, and Aarhus this teaching is subject specific, while in Copenhagen it is mainly subject specific, as it has few integrated courses. In Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Umeå, the basic science teaching consists of a mixture of integrated courses and subject specific teaching. In Helsinki, Oslo and Malmö the basic sciences are theme and topic based, and for the two last-mentioned institutions, integrated with the clinic, except at the faculty in Malmö. Here the basic science teaching is totally integrated in the clinical teaching throughout the study. Usually, the basic science teaching is placed mainly in the first part of the curriculum; however, in Umeå, Copenhagen, and Oslo, some integration takes place.