Training in orthodontics in the Medical College to Medical University – Varna

Information for nursing staff, 2025, 57(4), 11-14.

M. Varneva, A. Atanasova

Dental Technician Training Sector, Medical College, Medical University-Varna

Abstract. Orthodontic training is a part of the training in the specialty “Dental Technician”. Currently, it is conducted in one semester. Quality training in the specialty is aimed at developing practical skills and competencies for the purpose of successful professional realization and competitiveness in the labor market. Consistent and logically based knowledge, with the necessary repetitions, generalizations and conclusions during training, requires time and proper distribution of the teaching hours. The aim of this article is to study the student opinion regarding the duration of training and the number of hours in orthodontics at the Medical College of the Medical University – Varna. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted among students who completed their orthodontic training in 2021, 2024, and 2025. The survey card was developed with Google Forms specifically to achieve the goals of the study. The study sample consisted of 152 students studying at the Medical College – Varna. The good representativeness of the sample makes the results statistically significant. Conclusion: The data from the survey and their analysis allow for the formulation of the following conclusions: a very large proportion of respondents stated that it would be better for the training to be conducted in two semesters and for the number of hours of practical exercises to be increased.

Key words: students, training, orthodontics, analysis, research

Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Mihaela Varneva, PhD, e-mail: mihaela.varneva@mu-varna.bg