7
Uvodnik / Editorial
The long-awaited study 
of dental medicine in 
the Faculty of Medicine 
at the University of 
Maribor (the MF UM) is 
to begin in the 2021/22 
academic year
The great Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, 
“When you make the first step, you have already 
reached the goal.” The incentive to make the first 
step in the direction of organizing the study of dental 
medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at the University 
of Maribor (MF UM) came from the dental service 
of the Health Centre Dr. Adolf Drolc in 2016. At 
the MF UM, we immediately recognized the incentive 
as a great opportunity for sustainable development in 
the region; not only in the sense of educating doctors 
of dental medicine, but also as an opportunity to 
develop new, interdisciplinary cooperation between 
the various faculties of the University of Maribor in 
the fields of dental medicine, which include studies of 
new materials, nanoparticles, microbiology, genetics, 
biochemistry, and bioinformatics, among others. 
Thus, the painstaking establishment of the uniform 
Master's Program in Dental Medicine was initiated 
and concluded on January 09, 2020 by order of the 
Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher 
Education on programme accreditation.
Dental Medicine is a regulated profession in the 
European Union, and therefore, the program was 
developed in accordance with the requirements 
of Directive 2005/36/EC in recognition of 
professional qualifications, and in accordance with 
the requirements of the ADEE (the Association for 
Dental Education in Europe). The study will last for 
6 years, or 12 semesters, will be evaluated based on 
360 ECTS (credit points), or 60 ECTS per year, and 
will be administered via lectures, seminars, practical 
V akademskem 
letu 2021/22 se na 
Medicinski fakulteti 
Univerze v Mariboru 
začne dolgo pričakovani 
študij dentalne medicine
Veliki kitajski filozof Konfucij je rekel: »Ko narediš prvi 
korak, si že na cilju«. Spodbuda, da se na Medicinski 
fakulteti Univerze v Mariboru naredi prvi korak v 
smeri organizacije študija dentalne medicine, je prišla 
iz zobozdravstvene službe Zdravstvenega doma dr. 
Adolfa Drolca leta 2016. Na MF UM smo spodbudo 
takoj spoznali kot veliko možnost  trajnostnega razvoja 
v regiji; ne le v smislu izobraževanja doktorjev dentalne 
medicine, temveč kot možnost novega, intenzivnega 
interdisciplinarnega sodelovanja različnih fakultet 
Univerze v Mariboru na področju raziskav dentalne 
medicine, ki vključujejo raziskave novih materialov, 
nanodelcev, mikrobiologije, genetike, biokemije, 
bioinformatike in mnogih drugih znanstvenih 
disciplin.
In tako se je začelo mukotrpno nastajanje enovitega 
magistrskega študijskega programa dentalne medicine, 
ki je bilo zaključeno 9. 1. 2020 z odločbo Nacionalne 
agencije Republike Slovenije za kakovost v visokem 
šolstvu o akreditaciji programa. 
Dentalna  medicina je reguliran poklic v EU, zato 
je program študija pripravljen v skladu z zahtevami 
Direktive 2005/36/ES o priznavanju poklicnih 
kvalifikacij in v skladu z zahtevami ADEE (The 
association for dental education in Europe). Študij 
traja 6 let oz. 12 semestrov, ovrednoten je s 360 ECTS 
(kreditnimi točkami) oz. 60 ECTS/letnik in poteka 
v obliki predavanj, seminarjev, vaj (laboratorijskih, 
kliničnih, računalniških, seminarskih) in v 
individualni obliki.
Praktični pouk, ki je v dentalni medicini  izjemno 
pomemben, je načrtovan tako, da se študenti v 
prvi fazi seznanijo z delom v Laboratoriju dentalne 
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2021; 14 (1): 7–9
medicine. Tako bodo v omenjenem laboratoriju pod 
mentorstvom visokošolskih sodelavcev opravljali 
osnovne vaje oz. posege na simulatorjih. V višjih 
letnikih bodo v okviru praktičnega dela študenti 
opravljali praktične klinične vaje na pacientih pod 
nadzorom ustrezno habilitiranih visokošolskih 
učiteljev in sodelavcev specialistov dentalne medicine 
v prostorih MF UM, v Laboratorijih za dentalno 
medicino, ki so že in  bodo dodatno opremljeni, 
po potrebi pa tudi na Medicinski fakulteti Univerze 
na Reki in preko Erasmus izmenjave na partnerskih 
fakultetah v tujini. 
Predklinične in medicinske predmete bodo izvajali 
visokošolski učitelji naše fakultete, medtem ko 
smo se za izvajanje strokovnih kliničnih predmetov 
zaradi pomanjkanja habilitiranih učiteljev s področja 
dentalne medicine v SV Sloveniji obrnili za pomoč 
in sodelovanje najprej na Medicinsko fakulteto 
Univerze v Ljubljani. Pozitivnega odziva ni bilo, zato 
smo zaprosili za sodelovanje pri izvajanju programa 
Dentalne medicine Medicinsko fakulteto Univerze na 
Reki. Prošnja je bila sprejeta z velikim razumevanjem 
in naklonjenostjo ter podpisom pogodbe o 
sodelovanju. Paralelno z nastajanjem kurikuluma 
smo planirali prostorske in materialne pogoje za 
opravljanje praktičnega pouka. Na podlagi odličnih 
mednarodnih in prijateljskih povezav dekana, prof. 
dr. Ivana Krajnca, in prof. dr. Dušanke Mičetić-Turk, 
so donacije stomatološke opreme, vredne več kot 1 
milijon EUR, omogočile začetek izvajanja praktičnega 
dela pouka na MF UM. Na Medicinski fakulteti smo 
za začetek izvedbe pedagoškega procesa na področju 
dentalne medicine sami zagotovili infrastrukturne 
možnosti, ki pa bodo ob izvedbi vseh letnikov 
predstavljale prostorski problem in nemožnost 
razvoja znanstveno-raziskovalnega dela dentalne 
medicine. Iz tega razloga si na Univerzi v Mariboru 
odgovorni prizadevajo za pridobitev primerne lokacije 
v neposredni bližini tako MF UM kot Univerzitetnega 
kliničnega centra Maribor. Načrti Univerze v 
Mariboru gredo namreč v smeri še večje povezanosti 
vsebin UKC Maribor z Medicinsko fakulteto UM, kar 
pomeni tudi zahtevo po širjenju prostorskih kapacitet. 
Nova Fakulteta za dentalno medicino bo predvidoma 
obsegala pritličje in tri nadstropja s skupno uporabno 
površino  cca. 11.200 kvadratnih metrov. Tehnološki 
training (laboratory, clinical, computer, seminar), 
and individual  work. Practical lessons that are of the 
utmost importance in dental medicine are planned in 
such a manner that students are initially acquainted 
with their work in the laboratory of dental medicine. 
In this way, they will gain experience in the laboratory 
under the mentorship of habilitated colleagues where 
they will perform basic exercises or procedures on 
simulators. In later years, students will gain practical 
experience by performing clinical exercises on patients 
under the supervision of the appropriate teachers 
and specialists in dental medicine in MF UM dental 
medicine laboratories, which are already or will be 
additionally equipped. If necessary, such exercises will 
also be performed in the Faculty of Medicine at the 
University of Rijeka, and through Erasmus exchange 
at partner faculties abroad.
Preclinical and medical subjects will be implemented 
by teachers of our faculty. However, as we lack 
capabilities and habilitated teachers in the field of 
dental medicine in northeast Slovenia, we reached 
out to the Medical Faculty of the University of 
Ljubljana for assistance with the implementation of 
professional clinical subjects. The Medical Faculty 
of the University of Ljubljana failed to provide a 
positive response to our request, and therefore, 
we requested assistance for the implementation of 
the Dental Medicine Program from the Faculty of 
Medicine at the University of Rijeka. The request 
was accepted with great understanding and affection, 
and the contract for cooperation was signed. 
In parallel with the formation of the curriculum 
we have planned spatial and material conditions 
for conducting practical classes. Based on the 
international connections of Professor Ivan Krajnc 
and Professor Dušanka Mičetić Turk donated 
stomatological equipment, worth more than 1 
million Euros and facilitated the commencement of 
the implementation of the practical portion of classes 
at the MF UM. Within the Faculty of Medicine, we 
have commenced the implementation of pedagogical 
processes in the field of dental medicine and 
ensured infrastructural possibilities ourselves, but 
they will rely upon the implementation of all study 
years represent spatial problem and impossibility of 
development of scientific research work of dental 
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Uvodnik / Editorial
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
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medicine. For this reason, the responsible at the 
University of Maribor will strive to obtain a suitable 
location in the vicinity of the MF UM and the 
University Clinical Centre (UCC), Maribor. The 
plans of the University of Maribor will provide even 
greater connectedness between the UCC Maribor 
and the MF UM, which will also increase demand 
for the expansion of spatial capacities. The new 
Faculty of Dental Medicine is expected to occupy 
the ground floor plus three additional floors, with 
a total usable area of approx. 11,200 square meters. 
Technological development and digitalization in 
dentistry have facilitated incredible new possibilities 
over the past several years. The development of 
3D X-ray imaging, oral scanners, and the use of 
anesthesia, lasers and numerous other procedures 
have facilitated the minimal invasiveness of dental 
procedures, and the use of patient friendlier materials, 
and have rapidly established new standards that are 
kind to patients and dentists. The construction of a 
new contemporary center for dental medicine will 
facilitate the implementation of top stomatological 
services and high quality education for future doctors 
of dental medicine, and also facilitate international 
connectedness with our partner faculties in Europe 
and around the world.
In the 2021/22 academic year, we will enroll the first 
generation of students into our new program. There is 
great interest in the study of dental medicine, and the 
best candidates will be enrolled. With that a part of 
the path which we have trodden to get to the goal, i. e. 
to the accreditation of the programme and enrolment 
of the first generation of students, is successfully 
concluded. Between 2016 and 2021 many steps have 
been taken. Throughout this process, we have learned 
a great deal and connected with successful, world-
renowned colleagues who have selflessly assisted with 
the development of the curriculum and donated 
stomatological equipment. In particular, I would like 
to mention the generous contributions of Professor 
Sonja Pezelj Ribarič, the Dean of the Faculty of Dental 
Medicine at the University of Rijeka, Professor Kyösti 
Oikarinen, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at 
the University of Oulu in Finland, and Professor 
Alexander Kübler, the Dean of the Faculty of Dental 
Medicine at the University of Wurzburg in Germany, 
razvoj in digitalizacija v zobozdravstvu sta v zadnjih 
letih omogočila neverjetne nove možnosti. Razvoj 
3D rentgenskega slikanja, oralni skenerji, uporaba 
anestezije, laserjev in številnih drugih postopkov so 
omogočili minimalno invazivnost zobozdravstvenih 
posegov, uporabo prijaznejših materialov, zelo hitro 
pa se razvijajo tudi novi standardi, ki so prijazni 
tako pacientom kot zobozdravnikom. Izgradnja 
novega sodobnega centra za dentalno medicino bo 
omogočila izvajanje vrhunskih stomatoloških storitev 
in visokokakovostno izobrazbo bodočih zdravnikov 
dentalne medicine, prav tako pa tudi mednarodno 
povezovanje z našimi partnerskimi fakultetami v 
Evropi in svetu.
V akademskem letu 2021/22 vpisujemo prvo 
generacijo študentov. Zanimanje za študij dentalne 
medicine je veliko, sprejeti bodo najboljši kandidati. S 
tem je del poti, ki smo jo prehodili, da bi prišli do cilja, 
tj. do akreditacije programa in vpisa prve generacije 
študentov, uspešno zaključen. Od leta 2016 do leta 
2021 je bilo narejenih zelo veliko korakov. Na tej 
poti smo se veliko naučili, spoznali uspešne, svetovno 
uveljavljene kolege in kolegice, ki so nam nesebično 
pomagali pri razvoju kurikuluma in z bogatimi 
donacijami stomatološke opreme. Naj omenim 
prof. dr. Sonjo Pezelj Ribarič, dekanjo Fakultete za 
dentalno medicino Univerze v Reki, prof. dr. Kyöstija 
Oikarinena, dekana Medicinske fakultete Univerze 
v Oulu na Finskem, prof. dr. Alexandra Küblerja, 
dekana Fakultete za dentalno medicino Univerze v 
Würzbugu v Nemčiji, in še mnoge druge. 
Moja generacija mariborskih zdravnikov je imela 
privilegij spreminjati poglede, miselnost  in 
organizacijo v svojem okolju ter dolgoročno vplivati 
na razvoj v celotni regiji. Pot do medicinske fakultete 
je bila težka, istočasno pa velik izziv. Prav tako 
smo imeli težko pot pri ustanavljanju programa 
študija dentalne medicine oz. bodoče Fakultete 
za dentalno medicino. To, kar smo dosegli doslej, 
bomo razvijali dalje, usmerjali in dosegali nove 
rezultate. Naša vizija je, da se sčasoma razvije 
samostojna Fakulteta za dentalno medicino, skupaj s 
Centrom za dentalno medicino za celo SV Slovenijo 
z vsemi specialističnimi in sub specialističnimi 
dejavnostmi dentalne medicine. Še naprej se bomo 
trudili izboljšati pogoje za boljšo kvaliteto življenja 
Uvodnik / Editorial
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among many others.
My generation of Mariborian physicians has had 
a privilege of changing the views, mindset and 
organization of work in their environment and 
having a long-term impact on the development in 
the entire region. The establishment of the medical 
faculty has been difficult and a great challenge. 
Similarly, establishing the Dental Medicine 
programme and the Faculty of Dental Medicine has 
also been challenging. What has been achieved so 
far will continue to be built upon to achieve new 
results. It is our vision that an independent Faculty 
of Dental Medicine will ultimately be developed 
with the Center for Dental Medicine for the entirety 
of northeast Slovenia, and will accommodate all 
specialist and subspecialist activities of dental 
medicine. We will continue to strive to improve the 
quality of life for our people, which will be achieved 
by adequate staffing of health care professionals and 
by the development of educated people who are our 
greatest resources. It is up to the new generations of 
Mariborian physicians and dentists to put our vision 
into practice and carry it forward. 
Professor Emerita, dr. dr. h. c. 
Dušanka Mičetić Turk, MD
naših ljudi in to predvsem z ustvarjanjem kadrov v 
zdravstvu, izobraženih ljudi, ki se vedno pokažejo 
kot največja dragocenost. Na novih generacijah 
mariborskih zdravnikov in zobozdravnikov je, da to 
našo vizijo udejanjijo in nadaljujejo.
Zasl. prof. dr. dr. h. c. 
Dušanka Mičetić-Turk, dr. med.