In the dental hygiene study programme implemented by KVK, unlike in the analogous programmes of other Lithuanian higher education institutions, special attention is paid to the development of oral health in the community. Students of the dental hygiene study programme are actively involved in the applied researches of oral health-related quality of life science in various community groups conducted by teachers.
The Oral Care Department prepares a highly qualified oral care specialist who, working independently could provide oral care services taking into account the needs of patients assess oral health status and the need for preventive and interventional procedures, systematically educate individuals and the community. During practical studies, students continuously learn, develop and consolidate their manual skills as Dental Hygiene specialists, as well as develop communication skills with the prospective patient and learn how to teach the patient the principles of oral care.
Dental Hygiene students are constantly involved in conducting applied research because study programme is emphasized on oral health promotion in the community aspect, oriented towards Scandinavian oral disease prevention model Research is often commissioned by various business companies and carried out by students, who then use the data to prepare their final theses. These students have the opportunity to hear first-hand about innovations in the field of oral disease prevention, as business representatives periodically prepare presentations of the latest products for KVK students. KVK practical training bases with modern dental chairs are adapted to simulate real working conditions. Many students also enjoy the opportunity of the Erasmus+ programme and often choose to study and do internships in foreign countries like Portugal, Turkey, Sweden or Italy.
Career
Dental Hygiene graduates can work as the dental hygienists in licensed for oral health care services organizations.
Contact person
Monika Balčytienė Burnos priežiūros katedros vedėja, lektorė
To train independently decision-making specialists, which will work independently or in a team with dentists and give professional oral health services, including oral health status investigation, service giving, according patients’ needs, standardized evaluation of clinical or prevention service’s needs, systemic individual and community’s oral health promotion.
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Subjects
Study subjects (127 credits): Health Philosophy / Health Sociology, Academic and Professional Literacy, Communication Psychology and Conflict Management, Professional Ethics and Bioethics, Oral Anatomy, Microbiology and Histology, Speciality Foreign Language, Dental Hygienist’s Work Environment, Ergonomics and Team Work, Patient’s Health Behavior Correction and Management, General Anatomy and Physiology, Dental Materials and Pharmacology, Internal Diseases and Oral Pathology, Individual Dental Hygiene, Children’s Oral and Dental Diseases, Infection Control in Dentistry, General Biochemistry and Immunology, Professional Dental Hygiene I, Adults’ Oral and Dental Diseases and Anesthesia, First Medical Aid and Injections, Oral Health Research Methods, Epidemiology of Oral Diseases, Public Health, Oral Health and Behavior Course Paper, Diseases of Oral Mucosa and Periodontology, Professional Dental Hygiene II, Work Organization and Quality Management in Dental Institution, Dental Radiology, Professional Dental Hygiene III, Oral Health Promoting Behavior Development in the Community, Professional Dental Hygiene IV, Orthopedic Dentistry, Orthodontics and Implantology.
Electives subjects (9 credits).
Internships (35 credits): Oral Prevention Practice, Patient Practice I, Patient Practice II, Patient and Community Practice, Final Practice.
Final Thesis (9 credits).
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Study results
Graduates:
1. Create confidentiality based non-conflict relationships with colleagues, patients and business partners, effectively work in a team with different specialization dentists, dental assistants and public health specialists.
2. Perform qualitative services and flexibly react to the dynamic of service needs.
3. Demonstrate understanding of safety at work principles and hygiene requirements and ensure safety of the patients’ ethical and law interests.
4. Evaluate patients’ oral and general health.
5. Perform universal services, reflecting modern science and technological novelties for the patients with different and special needs.
6. Evaluate by standardized methodology community‘s oral health and effectiveness of interventions.
7. Systemically promote oral and general health in the community.
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Admissions
40%
Biology
20%
Chemistry or Mathematics
20%
Lithuanian language and literature
20%
Weighting factor for any subject that does not overlap with the first and second
