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Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Decison-Making in Endodontics

Decison-Making in Endodontics
3
13247
2
Annual
OB
Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Teaching staff

Introduction

This subject is designed to develop advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills in endodontics within an online learning environment. Through the analysis and discussion of real and simulated clinical cases, students will integrate theoretical knowledge, clinical concepts, and scientific evidence to make sound, patient-centered treatment decisions. The course emphasizes evidence-based dentistry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured clinical reasoning. Students will learn to evaluate complex endodontic scenarios, identify risks and prognostic factors, and justify therapeutic decisions according to current scientific literature and clinical guidelines.  

Pre-course requirements

Students must have successfully completed the foundational theoretical subjects of the master’s program, including basic and intermediate endodontic concepts and techniques. This prior knowledge ensures that students possess the necessary background to analyze clinical cases critically and to engage in advanced decision-making processes in endodontics.

Objectives

The main objective of this subject is to train students to make accurate, justified, and evidence-based clinical decisions in endodontics through structured analysis of clinical cases. By the end of the course, the student will be able to: • Analyze endodontic cases of varying complexity using a systematic and structured approach. • Establish accurate diagnoses based on clinical findings and radiographic and three-dimensional imaging analysis. • Design appropriate and individualized treatment plans considering biological, technical, and patient-related factors. • Identify potential complications and failures in endodontic treatment and propose alternative therapeutic strategies. • Justify clinical decisions using current scientific evidence and clinical guidelines. • Communicate clinical reasoning clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats. • Integrate endodontic decision-making within an interdisciplinary dental context.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

• CN01 – Identify with precision the most advanced technical processes related to endodontics. • CN03 – Carry out a critical analysis to rigorously assimilate different scientific methodologies. • CN04 – Recognize the origin and development of oral pathologies based on the transversal interrelation of biomedical sciences. • CP04 – Generate work synergies with professionals from other areas and disciplines through the design of joint action strategies. • HB02 – Apply different sources of information (scientific publications and gray literature) depending on the endodontic context. • HB03 – Manage the complexity of each endodontic case. • HB04 – Classify endodontic cases as easy, moderate, or complex. • HB05 – Apply multidisciplinary knowledge acquired from other dental disciplines in an endodontic problem. • HB07 – Combine prevention and treatment of common endodontic complications. • HB12 – Plan a defined and appropriate protocol in the event of endodontic failure. • HB16 – Integrate three-dimensional radiological advances in the analysis of endodontic situations. • HB20 – Prepare an appropriate endodontic treatment plan based on exhaustive clinical and radiographic analysis.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Upon successful completion of this subject, students will be able to: 1. Perform a structured diagnostic analysis of endodontic clinical cases using clinical data and imaging tools. 2. Develop comprehensive and justified treatment plans for endodontic pathologies of different levels of complexity. 3. Critically evaluate different therapeutic options based on current scientific evidence. 4. Anticipate potential complications and propose preventive or corrective strategies. 5. Defend clinical decisions using appropriate scientific terminology before a specialized and non-specialized audience. 6. Integrate endodontic decision-making within a multidisciplinary treatment framework. 7. Apply ethical and patient-centered criteria in clinical decision-making processes.

Syllabus

This subject focuses on the development of clinical decision-making skills through the analysis and discussion of endodontic cases. Students will work with documented clinical cases, including radiographs, CBCT scans, clinical photographs, and videos, to simulate real clinical scenarios. The syllabus includes: • Diagnostic reasoning in endodontics • Analysis of pulpal and periapical pathology • Risk assessment and prognostic factors • Decision-making in primary treatments and retreatments • Management of endodontic complications and failures • Decision-making in dental trauma and resorptive defects • Interdisciplinary considerations in endodontic treatment planning • Ethical and patient-related factors in clinical decisions  

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Analysis of real and simulated endodontic clinical cases. • Asynchronous recorded lectures focused on clinical reasoning and decision-making strategies. • Guided case discussion forums moderated by faculty. • Online case presentations prepared and defended by students. • Critical reading and discussion of scientific articles related to clinical cases. These activities are designed to promote active learning, critical thinking, and the application of evidence-based dentistry principles in a virtual environment.