“Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad

Faculty of Dental Medicine

Dentistry/Dental Technicians 2nd year, 1st and 2nd semester
English – Stancuta Dima-Laza, Associate Prof. PhD

DENTISTRY TOPICS

1. Dentistry as a profession
2. Stem cells in dentistry
3. Dentistry improvements in dental technology
4. Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease
5. Dentistry ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders
6. Oral hygiene and decalcification
7. Challenges in the field of dentistry
8. Pediatric dentistry
9. Ethical issues in dentistry
10. What is Xylitol?
11. Baby teeth
12. Sensitive teeth
13. Dentures
14. Root canal
15. Wisdom teeth
16. Thumbsucking
17. Baby bottle tooth decay
18. Gum disease
19. Dental sealants
20. Antibiotic prophylaxis
21. Oral and maxillofacial surgery
22. Tumors
23. Halitosis
24. Dentistry in the Middle Ages
25. Dental cavities
26. Aging and dental health
27. Cannabis: Oral health effects
28. Cardiac implanted devices and electronic dental instruments
29. Floss/Interdental cleaners
30. Fluoride: topical and systemic supplements
31. Genetics and oral health
32. Home oral care
33. Medical emergencies in the dental office
34. Mouth guards
35. Nutrition and oral health
36. Oral piercing/jewelry
37. Oral analgesics for acute dental pain
38. Whitening
39. Xerostomia
40. Dental X-rays
CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IN HEALTHCARE

1. Is there a link between poverty and poor health? (How does poverty contribute to poor
health?)
2. . Should the state provide free health care to homeless people?
3. Should people be encouraged to turn to homeopathy first?
4. Should unconventional forms of medicine be part of national healthcare?
5. Should uninsured people be provided with any medical care?
6. Should there be criminal responsibility for medical errors?
7. Should doctors be allowed to promote particular medical products?
8. Should Romanian hospitals provide a free translator to non-English speaking patients?
9. Should euthanasia be illegal?
10. Should abortion be legal?
11. Should surrogate pregnancy be used on-demand or only for health reasons?
12. Is womb transplantation a good alternative to surrogate pregnancy?
13. Should people with mental health issues be treated in or outside of the community?
14. Should children vaccination be mandatory?
15. Should people be refused organ transplantation for leading an unhealthy lifestyle? 
16. Should the organ transplantation committee consider the patient’s personal details
(marital status, children, accomplishments, personal qualities) when choosing what
person will receive an organ? 
17. Should doctors be required to report the cases of organ trafficking (when a person has a
needed organ, even though he did not get it being on the national list)? 
18. Should marijuana/drugs be legalized?
19. What are the effects of TV shows concerned with diets and losing weight? (Do they
motivate and inspire others or promote body image ideal and the related issues?)
20. Do TV shows portraying cosmetic surgery make people more inclined to refer to it? If
yes, should they be banned?
21. Should TV commercials for alcohol/fast-food chains be banned?
22. Should the state regulate social media use to prevent its negative impact on mental health
and social media addiction?
23. How should the issue of obesity be treated: as a personal problem or as a public concern?
(Should obese people be entitled to better healthcare coverage or additional days off?)
24. Can exercising worsen health?
25. Should teens be able to obtain birth control pills?
26. Who should decide whether to place an elderly in the elderly center: an elderly person
himself/herself, children, healthcare specialist?
27. Should the state refuse to import the products, which were manufactured/obtained at the
cost of someone’s health? (Consider pollution in China, child labor, etc.)
28. Should the state do more or less to make people lead a healthy lifestyle? Consider if such
interference into personal lives is justified or no. Try to think about all the state does and
can do, e.g. ban smoking and drinking under a certain age or in certain areas, ban
advertisements and censor films promoting unhealthy lifestyle or unhealthy body image
standards, establish more recreation zones easily accessible and attractive to people,
educate people on the effects of the unhealthy lifestyle, … or instead invest the money in
the economy as the higher economic level is associated with better health. 
       
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON DOCTORS AND HEALTHCARE

1. Assess the decision of some countries to use undergraduate nursing students for Covid-19
response.
2. Is quarantine an effective measure? How to balance the need to halt the spread of the
virus and the need for employment and socialization?
3. Has Covid-19 risen the need for global coordination of healthcare? How will respective
policies change the national healthcare systems?
4. Do we need a dedicated global agency that would deal with Covid-19 and future
pandemics?
5. Should doctors that leave their jobs not to deal with Covid-19 be not allowed to work in
medicine again?
6. The impact of Coronavirus on a specific vulnerable population: the poor, homeless,
people with mental illnesses, etc.
7. Issues surrounding vaccine testing. Is the French doctors’ suggestion to test vaccines in
Africa a sound strategy or an act of racism?
8. Doctors have the highest mortality rate from Covid-19. What are the ways to decrease it?
9. Has Coronavirus given a boost to telemedicine? Is it a viable alternative to traditional
consultations?