At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.

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Ghent University's Education Objectives

Quality Assurance at Ghent University

1. Multiperspectivism: The programme is characterised by a multiperspectivism which takes shape in multidisciplinary meetings with the 5 main subjects which are regularly organised. In that way, teams consisting of diverse specialists aim to draw up an integrated treatment plan. In that plan they strive for ownership: one Dental Specialist Trainee (DST) has responsibility for the supervision of one particular patient during a complete course of treatment.
2. Individual coaching and feedback: Specialist trainees are monitored very closely. This is ensured by the small groups of students. During clinical apprenticeships the students are intensively monitored by a specialist in the subject, in the case of some treatments they are even monitored one-to-one. During patient interviews schedules are drawn up and the work produced is evaluated afterwards by means of a coordinating portfolio.
3. Strongly developed clinical cornerstone: By linking a permanent training to the advanced master’s programme (ManaMa), an extensive clinical component has been provided in the programme. This ensures that the students have the opportunity to receive hands-on clinical education. For acknowledged specialities an external apprenticeship has been built into the programme to ensure the specialist trainee to gain experience not only by an apprenticeship in a university hospital but also outside this setting.
4. Room for experimental research: Every DST has to write a master’s dissertation to be awarded a diploma. All DST dissertations are based on proper experimental research. In some cases this results in presenting the research at an international congress or even in the publication of the research findings.
5. International external view: At the end of the programme every DST takes a final examination by jury. This jury consists of teachers of the own programme and is complemented by an international expert who also evaluates the examination. This final examination consists of 2 parts. The first is a clinical part for which the DST prepares several cases that he/she has treated during the programme. The DST presents the cases and is examined by the jury who assesses both clinical knowledge and theoretical background. In the second part the master’s dissertation is defended: the DST briefly presents the research he/she conducted and is subsequently interviewed by the jury. The international expert contributes greatly to both parts.

1. Evidence-based education: Teachers are heavily involved in scientific research, take part in international congresses, and give (international) lectures. This way they are very well-informed about the most recent findings in their field and they are able to integrate these findings in theoretical and clinical education. For instance, recently published articles (A1) are frequently integrated in the education. In addition to this, journal clubs are organised during which recent publications are presented to and discussed with the DSTs.
2. Teachers’ quality: In addition to their heavy involvement in scientific research teachers also work in the clinical practice. This enables them to offer integrated theoretical and clinical education at a high level.
3. Link theoretical, preclinical and clinical education: Before administering new techniques that have not been covered during the basic training to patients, they are mastered by practice in a preclinical setting. This method can also be used for techniques already known that have to be executed at a higher level. To this purpose the programme has strongly invested in the construction of a modern preclinic.
4. Talent development: DSTs are encouraged to take part in seminars, and national and international congresses. This way they are introduced to other programmes and visions, they expand their outlook and they learn to reflect critically. Moreover, they are encouraged to present their own work at these fora. These works can be both clinical and research related. DSTs are also granted the opportunity to pass on their own knowledge by coaching BaMa students at the clinic.

1. Curriculum adaptation: Even though the programme is strong with respect to content – which has been proven several times by the international accreditation of certain main subjects – a curriculum adaptation is much needed. Some of the courses that are now common course units are not as relevant for every programme, because of which a thorough reform of the curriculum is imperative. The goal of a similar curriculum adaptation is to come to an optimal programme which also meets the international standards for all main subjects.
2. Application of methods and evaluation forms: It is also necessary to reconsider a more efficient application of the correct methods and evaluation forms that are more closely linked to the learning outcomes. That is why the programme intends to make a list of these methods and evaluation forms and to draw up an improvement policy, ideally together with the planned curriculum adaptation.

This study programme is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (Dutch: NVAO). Accreditation was extended following the positive outcome of the institutional review in 2022. Programme quality was validated by a quality review (peer-learning visit) in 2018. A screening of the Education Monitor by Ghent University’s Education Quality Board is planned in the years 2021-2024.

This information was last updated on 01/02/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.