IGIENE DENTALE (ABILITANTE ALLA PROFESSIONE SANITARIA DI IGIENISTA DENTALE) Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Bachelor Degree in IGIENE DENTALE (ABILITANTE ALLA PROFESSIONE SANITARIA DI IGIENISTA DENTALE)
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA First cycle; EQF Level 6
Number of Years/credits
3 years; 180 ECTS
Mode of Study
Full-Time/Part-Time*
*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.
Name of the Course Director and other contact information
President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. ALFONSO POMPELLA
Email alfonso.pompella@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI PATOLOGIA CHIRURGICA, MEDICA, MOLECOLARE E DELL'AREA CRITICA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Gianfranco Natale
Email gianfranco.natale@med.unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Certificate of completion of Italian upper secondary school or equivalent foreign qualification.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Obligatory selective/competitive entrance exam (numerus clausus).
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students who do not pass the entrance exam are required to take specific courses and/or complete extra reading to prepare for the programme.
General Information
Programme Profile
Graduates in dental Hygiene are requested: to posses an adequate preparation in basic disciplines in order to provide the knowledge of biological and pathological phenomena of the stomatognathic system in children, adult and geriatric; to aquire cultural and professional tools in the diagnostic process and technical assistance of oral diseases; to develop methods of oral hygiene and nutrition aimed at the protection of oral health; to be competent in developing dental health education and prevention programs; to manage their intervention by integrating with other operators in respect of specific skills. They must also demonstrate ability: in reading and interpreting clinical and instrumental examinations that will be provided by the dentists; to classify caries and periodontal diseases and to assess the possibilities of preventive and therapeutic measures; to use instrumental techniques and to collaborate with other professionals in the design and implementation of prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of oral diseases. Graduates will also be able to perform a systematic literature search, through databases and their updates and to make a critical reading of scientific articles. The acquisition of a ethical will be one of the objectives that will complete the training.
They must also be able to use at least one European language other than Italian.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates in Dental Hygiene is able to:
a. promote dental health education to perform primary prevention as part of the public health system;
b. assist in the compilation of the dental and medical records and to arranges for the collection of technical-statistical data;
c. provide calculus removal and root planing as well as the topical application of various prophylactic means;
d. provide education on the various methods of oral hygiene and the use of diagnostic tools with focus on dental plaque and motivating the need for periodic medical check-ups;
e. promove information on nutrition for the protection of dental health.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
The dental hygienist is the oral health professional who carries out tasks related to the prevention of oral diseases on the basis of the recommendation of dentists
Access to further study
The Laurea Degree in DENTAL HYGIENE normally gives direct access to the corresponding Second Cycle degree programme. It also gives access to some other Second Cycle degree programmes, in which case extra work may be necessary for admission.
Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading
Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**.
Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).
**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.
Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification
The final exam, to which 9 ECTS are allocated, will consist in the discussion of a written text and in a practical exam aimed at demonstrating that the candidate has acquired the essential professional skills and competencies related to the professional p