Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Medical and Interdisciplinary Foundations of Clinical Practice I
Course Code
RED_031
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
11.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 8
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Aleksandra Kārkle
Residency Speciality
Speciality
Endodontist
Supervisor of Medical Speciality
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Contacts
Aleksandra.karkle@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The course provides advanced knowledge of the medical and interdisciplinary principles that underpin safe and evidence-based endodontic practice. It covers the principles of patient medical assessment, local anaesthesia, clinical pharmacology, medical emergency management and basic life support, as well as head and neck anatomy and the anatomical structures of clinical relevance to Endodontics. The course develops competencies in assessing tooth restorability, planning the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, and making evidence-based clinical decisions within an interdisciplinary approach to patient care.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Acquire thorough knowledge of the principles of local anaesthesia in endodonthia, including the pharmacology of anaesthetics, the use of vasoconstrictors, maximum doses, additional anaesthetic methods in cases of symptomatic irreversible pulpit, symptomatic apical periodontitis and other acute endodontic conditions, as well as the causes of anaesthetic failure and their prevention possibilities.
2.Learn the clinically relevant anatomy of the head and neck for the safe planning and conducting of endodontic treatment and endodontic microsurgery by evaluating the localisation, anatomical variation and potential risks of the upper jaw cavity, lower jaw duct, chin hole, palate neurovascular structures and other anatomically relevant formations using cone beam computed tomography (KSDT) examinations.
3.Acquire principles for the recognition and management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRR/BLS) and medical emergency situations in dental practice, as well as principles for the use of emergency medicine and equipment.
4.Acquire evidence-based knowledge in clinical pharmacology, including the rational use of painkillers and anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and other endodontic medicines, possible drug interactions and pharmacotherapy specificities in different patient groups.
5.Acquire advanced knowledge of the principles of infection prevention and control, aseptic technique, antisepsis, and sterilization in endodontic practice, including the requirements for instrument processing, sterilization, storage, and maintenance of sterility in accordance with current guidelines.
6.Acquire advanced knowledge of occupational safety principles in endodontic practice, including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, prevention of biological hazards, and quality assurance measures required to maintain a safe clinical environment.
Skills
1.Perform an assessment of the patient’s medical risk according to the ASA classification and adjust the endodontic treatment plan to the patient’s overall state of health.
2.Safely perform local anaesthesia in endodonthia by selecting anaesthetic methods appropriate to the clinical situation, including additional anaesthetic techniques, identify the causes of anaesthetic failure and choose appropriate action.
3.Demonstrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRR/BLS) skills, as well as recognise, evaluate and manage medical emergency situations in dental practice.
4.Apply evidence-based pharmacotherapy principles when selecting and prescribing analgesics and antibiotics based on the clinical situation and the patient's general health status.
5.Apply infection prevention and control principles in endodontic practice by implementing appropriate aseptic techniques, antisepsis measures, and sterilization protocols according to the clinical situation.
6.Assess occupational safety risks in endodontic practice and implement appropriate measures to ensure a safe clinical environment for patients and healthcare personnel.
Competences
1.Integrate anatomical, medical, pharmacological, and behavioural science principles into the planning and delivery of safe, evidence-based endodontic treatment, ensuring patient-centred care and effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
2.Independently assess the patient's general health and medical risk, adapt the endodontic treatment plan to the clinical situation, safely administer local anaesthesia and pharmacotherapy, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals when required.
3.Ensure a safe clinical environment by applying infection prevention and control, sterilization, and occupational safety principles, recognising and managing medical emergencies, and maintaining professional competence in patient safety and quality assurance.
Assessment
Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Written test with clinical case analysis |
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10 points
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The written assessment evaluates the resident's knowledge of head and neck anatomy, clinical pharmacology, principles of local anaesthesia, medical risk assessment, infection prevention and control, occupational safety, and behavioural sciences relevant to endodontic practice. It consists of structured questions and clinical scenarios designed to assess clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision-making. The practical assessment evaluates the resident's ability to assess medical risk, safely administer local anaesthesia, demonstrate competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the management of medical emergencies, and apply infection prevention and control, sterilization, and occupational safety principles in endodontic practice. Practical skills are assessed in simulated clinical scenarios. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Local Anaesthesia and Medical Risk Assessment in Endodontic Practice
Description
The aim of this seminar is to provide residents with the knowledge required for the safe administration of local anaesthesia and comprehensive preoperative medical assessment before endodontic treatment. The seminar covers pain physiology, pharmacology of local anaesthetic agents, anaesthetic techniques for the maxilla and mandible, causes of anaesthetic failure and their management, as well as anaesthesia for patients with symptomatic pulpitis. Residents learn to evaluate the patient's medical history, apply the ASA Physical Status Classification System, assess the impact of systemic diseases, medications, and allergies on treatment planning, and prevent potential complications to ensure safe endodontic care. |
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Head and Neck Anatomy: Clinically Relevant Structures in Endodontics
Description
The resident acquires knowledge of the clinically relevant anatomy of the head and neck required for the safe planning and performance of endodontic treatment and endodontic microsurgery. The seminar covers the anatomy, anatomical variations and clinical significance of the maxillary sinus, mandibular canal, mental foramen, incisive foramen, the palatal neurovascular structures and other anatomically significant structures. The role of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the identification of anatomical structures, treatment planning, selection of the surgical approach and prevention of procedural complications is critically evaluated. |
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Medical emergency and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dentistry
Description
The resident acquires knowledge of the recognition, initial assessment and management of medical emergencies in dental practice. The seminar covers the risk factors, clinical presentation and management algorithms of the most common medical emergencies encountered in dentistry. The resident develops practical competencies in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support (CPR/BLS) and learns the appropriate use of emergency medications and equipment in accordance with current international guidelines. |
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Clinical pharmacology
Description
The resident acquires knowledge of the principles of clinical pharmacology relevant to safe and evidence-based endodontic practice. The seminar covers the pharmacological properties, mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects and potential drug interactions of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, local anaesthetic agents and other medications used in Endodontics. The resident evaluates pharmacotherapeutic considerations for different patient groups and makes evidence-based decisions regarding pharmacological management in accordance with current international clinical guidelines. |
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Behavioural Sciences and Psychological Aspects of Patient Management in Endodontics
Description
Residents acquire knowledge of the principles of behavioural sciences and the importance of psychological factors in patient care, as well as their influence on the patient's experience, cooperation, and treatment outcomes. The seminar covers effective patient communication, recognition and management of dental anxiety and fear, psychological aspects of pain perception, the process of obtaining informed consent, principles of motivational communication, and the management of challenging clinical situations and conflicts during endodontic treatment. Residents develop patient-centred communication skills that contribute to safe, effective, and high-quality endodontic treatment. |
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Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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Topics
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Infection Control, Sterilization Protocols and Occupational Safety in Endodontic Practice
Description
Residents enhance their knowledge of infection prevention and control, sterilization, and occupational safety in endodontic practice. The seminar covers the principles of asepsis and antisepsis, instrument processing and sterilization protocols, maintenance of sterility during endodontic procedures, the safe use of single-use and reusable instruments, and principles of quality assurance in infection control. Residents critically evaluate current guidelines and regulatory requirements to ensure safe and high-quality endodontic care. |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
11.00
Number of Residency Seminars:
6
Length (weeks):
8
Final Examination:
Residency exam (Theory and practice)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Malamed SF. Handbook of Local Anesthesia. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2020
2.
Perreira LA et al. The incidence of failure of inferior alveolar nerve block in endodontic patients. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013;144(8):888–897 (jaunāka raksta nav)
3.
Resuscitation Council UK. Adult Basic Life Support Guidelines. London: RCUK; 2021
4.
Becker DE, Reed KL. Local anesthetics: review of pharmacological considerations. Anesth Prog. 2012;59(2):90–102. (jaunāka raksta nav)
5.
Jotkowitz AB, Samet N. Tooth restorability assessment — a multi-factorial clinical approach. Quintessence Int. 2008;39(8):701–705 (jaunāka raksta nav)
6.
Skupien JA, Opdam N, Winnen R et al. A practice-based study on the survival of restored endodontically treated teeth. J Endod. 2013;39(11):1335–1340. (jaunāka raksta nav)
7.
Patel S, Durack C, Abella F et al. European Society of Endodontology position statement: The use of CBCT in endodontics. Int Endod J. 2019;52:1675–1678.