Dental Hygiene (180 ECTS credits)

Education

The dental hygienist programme consists of three years of study. The programme includes courses in oral health, odontology, and various electives. Oral health provides skills in improving oral health as well as in developing ways of promoting oral health. Odontology raises issues in oral health as they relate to various dental diseases and functional disorders of the mouth.

Instruction is provided via distance education. As a result, study is not limited by time or distance parameters. Students work with one another in groups. A study letter serves as a starting point. The group then plans its studies and writes a contract that governs group work. Internet access is required in order to keep in touch with teachers and students (technical requirements on www.kau.se). On-campus meetings take place regularly through the theoretical sections of the course. This means that 2-5 days a month are spent at Karlstad University. Clinical studies are located at the teaching clinic at Karlstad University 1-5 weeks, 3-5 times, with the greater part in the second school term.

Form of Instruction

Instruction is usually in the form of lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory classes, preclinical and clinical studies, field studies and a project.

Examination

Examination will take place in connection with each module. Examination forms may vary. Some modules will be examined orally, others in writing, practically, individually or in groups. There are no set examination periods, and generally no final exam at the end of a semester, an academic year, or a complete study programme.

Study Abroad

Study abroad options are offered in the programme.

Professional Contact

Clinical studies take place in both public and private dental care facilities within the county of Värmland, Örebro or other counties, for 3 weeks (full time) once, or for 8 weeks (half time) twice. Clinical studies cannot be guaranteed to take place in the hometown of the student. This may result in additional costs for travel and lodging.

Course of study

Term 1		ECTS credits
Health/Oral Health an introduction	(Compulsory)	7.5
Odontology II - theory and clinical studies	(Compulsory)	15
Odontology I - theory	(Compulsory)	7.5
Total ECTS credits: 30
Term 2		ECTS credits
Oral Health Scientific Method I	(Compulsory)	7.5
Oral Health focusing the individual I	(Compulsory)	7.5
General dental care	(Compulsory)	7.5
Oral Health - clinical studies I	(Compulsory)	7.5
Total ECTS credits: 30
Term 3		ECTS credits
Oral Health with a Focus on Children	(Compulsory)	7.5
Oral Health focusing the individual II	(Elective)	7.5
Oral Health with a Focus on Public Health Work	(Elective)	7.5
Odontology III - theory	(Compulsory)	7.5
Total ECTS credits: 30
Term 4		ECTS credits
Oral Health theory, methods II	(Compulsory)	7.5
Tobacco prevention in theory and practice	(Elective)	7.5
Odontology IV - theory	(Compulsory)	7.5
Odontology III - clinical studies	(Compulsory)	7.5
Total ECTS credits: 30
Term 5		ECTS credits
Oral Health: Degree Project	(End semester: 6) (Elective)	15
Oral Health with a Focus on Adolescents and Young Adults	(Elective)	7.5
Oral health II and Odontology IV-clinical studies	(Compulsory)	15
Total ECTS credits: 30*
Term 6		ECTS credits
Oral Health-Clinical Studies III	(Elective)	7.5
Leadership and organization	(Elective)	7.5
Oral Health with a focus on ageing people	(Compulsory)	7.5
Total ECTS credits: 22.5

* Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per term (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.