3.

2 BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu” promotes the

quest for truth in order to contribute to the construction of the world, where the
creation of knowledge is joined to that of goods and services for integrated human
development, in such a way that it encourages students to apply the fundamental
principles of the behavioral sciences, placing emphasis on the fact that dental care
must have as its center the welfare of the patient. Since the patient is the reason
for this profession’s existence, all means of care, improvement and maintenance of
oral health provided by the University’s students are focused on specific individuals
and specially designed for individualized care.

Among the Attitudes and Values the University seeks to foster in its graduates are:
A. Empathy and tolerance with a view to good doctor-patient
communication, creating trust and an attitude of collaboration in
treatment.
B. Constant willingness to attend to patients in accordance with treatment
needs.

The level of competency expected from graduates implies the capacity to

recognize and respect:

A. People’s individuality
B. Gender equality
C. Differing modes of thought
D. Ethnic differences
E. Religious differences
F. Economic, cultural and social differences

In addition, graduates should in their professional practices pay due attention to,
and apply the concept of patients’ rights, including the right to receive detailed
information about their oral disorders, treatment options and their right to decide on
questions related to their health. During their period of clinical instruction the
students have the opportunity to interact with a varied population of differing ages
(children, adolescents, adults and older adults), of both sexes, with different sexual
preferences, from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with differing abilities,
all of which guarantees that on graduating they will practice their profession in a
way that is centered on the person, their patient, recognizing in each one the rights
and differences of the individual. Social Service in the Community gives students
the opportunity to treat and mix with people from poor economic backgrounds,
deprived areas and even those in extreme poverty, encouraging them to develop a
sense of respect for individuals and their rights in the most complete way.
The subjects that make up the Behavioral Sciences that promote competency in
the students with regard to the foregoing, i.e. that the patient is at the center of the
process, are as follows: Psychology, Philosophy, Deontology, Pediatric Dentistry.

It is important to note that the curriculum places an emphasis on Formative axis

consisting of 2 areas: Humanities and Languages. These areas are made up of
institutional subjects, i.e. they are taught to all students enrolled at the University
with the object of teaching the principles of State University of Medicine and
Pharmacyl from Moldova education and establishing the means to developing
students’ social awareness and an attitude of service and solidarity towards their
fellows, as well as promoting their communications skills with patients and peers.
The institutional material used in this formative axis, particularly in the subject of
Humanities, contribute to the formation of students respecting their ability to
recognize their patients as the reason for their profession as well as preparing
them for cultural, social, economic and ethnic diversity, qualities necessary to
achieve person-centered treatment plans.
The general objectives of these courses are set out below.

Psychology
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify and analyze the
concept of humanity in a Christian-Anthropological plane and will gain concrete
knowledge of themselves as people capable of constructing their own personalities
in order to realize themselves fully and with ongoing maturity.

Philosophy
On completion of the course, students will be able to recognize and explain the
principal ideas that exist about the concept of Man and analyze the concept of
human dignity.

Deontology
On completion of the course, students will be able to employ psychological
techniques and tools that will enable them to create and maintain good clinician-
patient relationships with a view to obtaining collaboration and continuance up to
the conclusion of treatment.

Pediatric Dentistry
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify the systemic and oral
changes that occur during childhood and adolescence in order to propose
preventive alternatives and options for behavioral management in dental treatment,
also propose and implement oral treatments for both healthy and systematically
compromised pediatric patients.
The following subjects offered by the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy
from Moldova Faculty of Dentistry favor efficient interpersonal communication
between students and their patients, classmates, professors and instructors,
support and administrative personnel and with each and every person with whom
they have professional dealings, irrespective of educational level or culture, origin,
nationality or the state of their health in general or in dental terms: Professional
Communication, Applied Information Technology, Foreign Language I, Foreign
Language II, Philosophy , Comprehensive Dental Care Clinic I a VII.

It is important to point out that native Romanian speakers must be competent at

level 5 English (there are 9 levels in total as well as English for Business I, II and
III). This requirement applies even though the curriculum for the Degree in
Dentistry stipulates a target of 4 levels in a foreign language elective course.
Alternatively, any students interested in furthering their knowledge of English have
the opportunity to continue doing so independently with the University Language
Center.

Students with sufficient mastery of English or are native speakers can opt for a
different foreign language, such as French (8 levels), Romanian (6 levels),
Russian. In each case five levels are required.

The objective of the aforementioned subjects (using English as the model for all
the languages on offer) is described below.

Professional Communication
On completion of the course, students will recognize basic theoretical concepts of
communication and through the use thinking skills correctly employ the
fundamental rules of written and oral communication.

Applied Information Technology

On completion of the course, students will identify and handle the basic tools used
in information technology.

English I
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify the basic structures
and functions of the English language in order to exchange information on their
families and themselves.

English II
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify the basic structures
and functions of the English language in order to describe situations related to free
time, interests, hobbies and intentions for the future.
English III
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify the basic structures
and functions of the English language in order to exchange information on
employment and security.

English IV
On completion of the course, students will be able to identify the basic structures
and functions of the English language in order to describe sports and
communications media.

Philosophy
On completion of the course, students will be able to analyze the reality of
worldwide society, recognizing themselves as participants in the quest for social
justice. This course places an emphasis on social and cultural pluralism;
broadening students’ knowledge of cultural diversity and the changing modern
world, providing a grounding that will help them understand the behavioral
sciences and apply them to patient-centered care and/or managing a diverse
patient population.

Students demonstrate their communicative abilities in a variety of ways. During

patient interviews, they achieve the level of communication necessary in order to
interact efficiently, irrespective of the language, origin, educational background or
sociocultural level of the patient. On presenting patients with their Treatment Plans,
students must inform them of costs and payment schedules, the dates of
appointments and their rights as patients. While explaining the appointment
schedule, they must show communicative competence, the basis of a successful
patient-dentist relationship.