Clinical and research activities:

Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology

During the Scholarship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

☒      Treatment planning sessions
☐      Performing oral hygiene procedures and maintenance
☒      Observing patient treatment
☒      Assisting in patient treatment
☐      Treating patients under faculty supervision
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☐      Treating patients alone
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☐      Laboratory and procedures associated with treatment

The ITI Scholars are seamlessly incorporated into the comprehensive theoretical curriculum for oral surgery specialists, spanning approximately 150 hours in one year. While lectures primarily occur in English, German may also be used. Hence, a basic knowledge in German proves beneficial for everyday interactions. In clinical settings, scholars are assigned to support professors and senior surgeons in the operating theater, facilitating observation and discussion of intriguing cases. Moreover, in the field of research, ITI Scholars actively participate in ongoing projects alongside senior physicians and professors.

During the Scholarship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following research activities:

☒      Development and coordinated involvement with existing center research activities
☒      Involvement in preclinical research
☒      Involvement in translational research
☒      Involvement in clinical research
☐      Mentors will be assigned to the Scholar according to their research preference
☐      Scholars will be able to start their own research projects  

Research experience supported by scientific publications is desired.

The Scholar’s time will be allocated to the following activities as follows:

• 60% patient care
• 30% research
• 20% didactic (lectures and/or courses the Scholar can attend)

The lectures, classes and/or courses the Scholar can attend will be held in English and German. More information can be found here: https://www.chir.zmk.unibe.ch/education/index_eng.html

ITI Scholars will have the opportunity to take part in all implant therapy related CE courses offered by our center including the ITI Education Week and Master Courses on bone grafting and in esthetic implant dentistry. ITI Scholars are invited to get involved with a research project resulting in a publication.

Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology

During the Scholarship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

☒      Treatment planning sessions
☐      Performing oral hygiene procedures and maintenance
☒      Observing patient treatment
☒      Assisting in patient treatment
☐      Treating patients under faculty supervision
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☐      Treating patients alone
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☒      Laboratory and procedures associated with treatment

For patient treatment activities in the Department of Reconstructive Dentistry dental diploma issued in Switzerland or the EU and B2 level German are necessary. 

During the Scholarship year the ITI Scholar will participate in the following research activities:

☒      Development and coordinated involvement with existing center research activities
☒      Involvement in preclinical research
☒      Involvement in translational research
☐      Involvement in clinical research
☐      Mentors will be assigned to the Scholar according to their research preference
☒      Scholars will be able to start their own research projects

The academic degree Dr.med.dent. (unibe) can be obtained if a project can be finished within one year at the University of Bern. Registration as student to the University of Bern is required for this procedure.

Scholars will have the opportunity to perform pre-clinical research related to digital technologies in prosthodontics, implant dentistry, and dental materials, depending on the scholar's interest and capabilities.

Research experience supported by scientific publications (original papers) is desired.

The research scope of the department can be evaluated on the following website: https://boris.unibe.ch/view/divisions/2897F63CA3F0484BE053960C5C822C63.html

The Scholar’s time will be allocated to the following activities as follows:

• 40% patient care
• 50% research
• 10% didactic (lectures and/or courses the Scholar can attend)

The lectures, classes and/or courses the Scholar can attend will be held in German, and on some occasions in English.

The Scholar will be free to organize his or her activities, and may spend more time observing/assisting in clinical consultations, or more time carrying out scientific research. The Scholar will also be free to attend classes and treatment planning sessions.

At least two years’ postgraduate training in Prosthodontics is an advantage.  

Department of periodontology

During the Scholarship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

☒      Treatment planning sessions
☐      Performing oral hygiene procedures and maintenance
☒      Observing patient treatment
☒      Assisting in patient treatment
☐      Treating patients under faculty supervision
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☐      Treating patients alone
     ☐      Placing implants
     ☐      Restoring implants
☐      Laboratory and procedures associated with treatment

The ITI scholarship applicant will have the opportunity to interact with faculty members, postgraduate students and dental hygienists in treatment planning, observing clinical patient treatment and assisting in the comprehensive management of patients requiring periodontal, implant-related and reconstructive procedures.  

During the Scholarship year the ITI Scholar will participate in the following research activities:

☒      Development and coordinated involvement with existing center research activities
☒      Involvement in preclinical research
☐      Involvement in translational research
☒      Involvement in clinical research
☐      Mentors will be assigned to the Scholar according to their research preference
☐      Scholars will be able to start their own research projects

The Scholar’s time will be allocated to the following activities as follows:

• 50% patient care
• 30% research
• 20% didactic (lectures and/or courses the Scholar can attend)

ITI Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in the postgraduate curriculum in periodontology and implant dentistry (e.g. treatment planning, case presentations, literature discussions, seminars and journal clubs). Furthermore, they will have access to seminars provided by invited international speakers and to the inter-departmental seminars on various topics.

The ITI scholarship is embedded in a 3-year full-time postgraduate program guiding candidates to become board-certified periodontists. The postgraduate program in periodontology and implant dentistry at the Department of Periodontology in Bern is accredited by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), by the University of Bern (Master of Advanced Studies in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry) and by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).