Modern dentistry

At the Institute of Health Services Research, we view modern dentistry as a discipline that extends beyond technical skills and clinical expertise. Providing high-quality care also requires the ability to interpret scientific evidence, think critically, and make well-reasoned decisions. Our teaching therefore aims to support dental students in becoming scientifically informed and analytically minded clinicians who can evaluate research, reflect on evidence, and apply it responsibly in everyday practice. 

Our teaching curriculum is designed to equip students with the methodological tools to evaluate evidence, understand the social determinants of health, and conduct their own research. We coordinate and lead key modules within the dental curriculum, bridging the gap between clinical practice and scientific theory.

Our teaching responsibilities are centered around two major cross-disciplinary areas (Querschnittsbereiche QB):

  • Scientific working (QB Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten)

    This module provides students with the essential toolkit for academic and clinical success. It combines theoretical lectures with practical seminars to ensure hands-on competence in research methods.

    Evidence-based medicine (EBM): We teach students how to navigate the hierarchy of evidence, conduct systematic literature searches, and critically appraise scientific studies to answer clinical questions.

    Study design & methodology: From formulating a hypothesis to calculating sample sizes, students learn the architecture of clinical research, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and systematic reviews.

    Biostatistics & data analysis: A significant core of this module focuses on data literacy. We cover descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and advanced regression models (linear, logistic) as well as survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier).

    Scientific communication: We guide students through the process of writing manuscripts, understanding publication ethics (including the role of AI and plagiarism), and presenting research findings.

  • Health sciences (QB Gesundheitswissenschaften)

    This module broadens the students' perspective from the individual patient to the population level. It integrates epidemiology, psychology and sociology to explain why people get sick and how healthcare systems function.

    Public health & epidemiology: We explore the distribution of diseases in populations, global health challenges, and the fundamental principles of epidemiological research (causality, bias and confounding).

    Health psychology & sociology: Understanding the patient as a whole requires looking at the "Biopsychosocial Model." We cover health behavior models, coping with chronic illness, doctor-patient communication, and the impact of social inequality on health outcomes.

    Prevention & health promotion: We analyze strategies for preventing disease at the primary and secondary levels, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

    Health services research: Students gain insight into healthcare economics, quality of life measurement, and the structures of the German healthcare and rehabilitation systems.