To provide students with the main management concepts and tools they need, so that they can be able these aspects in their own dental clinics or professional workplace. 

Students will receive a diploma attesting to their knowledge in this field.

The course professors are experts in each of their different areas, and they take a practical approach that adapts to the curricular profile of the students. 

The fundamental objective of the study plan for the Postgraduate Degree in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya is to train professionals who are capable of applying the scientific knowledge and technical skills acquired to provide oral and maxillofacial radiology in an ethical, efficient and safe manner.

To meet this fundamental objective, the study plan we propose covers the following:

1. An understanding of the principles, means and protection measures required when dealing with radiation, as well as how to handle different dental x-ray equipment.
2.  Providing students with the ability to design, analyse, execute and interpret radiological images in Dentistry. Knowing how to employ different radiographic techniques. Knowledge of how to use highly specialised software to diagnose the oral and maxillofacial region through imaging.
3. The ability to develop knowledge and skills related to the methodological aspects of oral and maxillofacial radiology, with special emphasis on teaching and research possibilities. 
4. To show the ability to share scientific knowledge, according to the accepted criteria of presentation, writing and publication in the scientific community.
5. Management abilities, so that dental specialists have the necessary skills to manage his or her own diagnostic centre.

In order to properly build the specific skills required for this degree, we have established a correlation between each skill and the objectives set, to ensure that they have been covered satisfactorily. 

The skills required for the fields of activity covered by specialists in oral and maxillofacial radiology include:

From prior considerations to examining scans:

Professionals should act with the standard criteria of protecting patients according to the international guidelines on reducing radiation exposure to reasonable minimums in order to obtain diagnostic benefit (the ALARA principle).

Oral and maxillofacial radiologists must consider the cost-benefit ratio with regard to the characteristics and number of exams required, as well as the most appropriate examinations for each particular case. The aim is to carry out activity with the minimum risk of exposure to ionizing radiation, while always acting with a view to resolving clinical concerns to a suitable level, offering the respective image scans as indicated for each patient.

Given constant advances in scientific and technological knowledge, the oral and maxillofacial radiologist needs a critical attitude and up-to-date information to adequately adopt new concepts that represent a step forward in this dentistry discipline and put them into practice, which is why continuous academic training is a natural characteristic.

In terms of the image scans themselves:

Radiologists must have the skills required to correctly interpret both conventional and highly complex image scans according to the characteristics of each dentist surgery. They act as a permanent advisor to general dentists, specialist dentists and sometimes dental surgeons, to offer a complete picture of all the information from clinical findings related to the oral and maxillofacial area.

In this way, oral and maxillofacial radiologists contribute to the stages involved in diagnosing, checking and determining treatment of oral and maxillofacial pathologies, while also generating information that complements clinical findings and allows dentists to decide on the prognosis of any pathologies present.

Radiologists should have the training required to carry out conventional and advanced radiographic examinations, as well as to critically and adequately advise on more complex examinations where required, with a view to using the technology available in the public and private network of image service providers in an efficient way.

Oral and maxillofacial radiologists are professionals with the highest level of authority to interpret the images obtained from these scans, both in relation to the pathologies that led to the scan being requested, and with the findings of the examinations, with a view to healing or preserving the level of oral health that the dental team provides as an integral service to its patients.

Their relation with the dental team:

In order to achieve their objectives professionals must work as part of a team, since oral and maxillofacial radiologists essentially provide advice and support to dental clinic activity or to any dental or medical speciality that requires its services.

Radiologists may also correlate image findings with the clinical and epidemiological situation of both individuals and the general population. In addition, given their knowledge of national health predictions at a dental level, they can work in both the public and private sectors.

Oral and maxillofacial radiologists have the capacity to guide or contribute to scientific research that is developed in relation to any particular task either directly related to the speciality or where it places a supporting role. Radiologists also have the capacity to publish their activities and train duly accredited assistants who can offer support work in this field.

At the same time, oral and maxillofacial radiologists have the skills required to give an informed opinion on matters of a legal nature, and expert opinions to the relevant authorities when deemed necessary.