The theoretical training is made up of the part, common to all the training programmes, which leads to the award of professional status in dentistry. This part comprises training for independent professional practice as well as interactive seminars on the following topics: economic aspects of bucco-dental treatment, the organization and management of a dental surgery, professional regulation and responsibility, dental computer systems, critical analysis of scientific literature, introduction to legal dentistry, introduction to communication, ergonomics, radiodiagnosis including radioprotection, ethological aspects of health care and the relationship between first and second line health care.

During the course, students’ knowledge and skills during the basic training in dentistry are deepened and further knowledge and skills are acquired in the following areas :

General medicine and biology

• Additional anatomy and maxillo-facial embryology
• development of the viscero-skull masticatory organs
• importance of genetic and functional factors during cranio-facial growth
• physiology of ventilation, speech, deglutition and mastication
• elements of cellular biology

General orthodontics

• diagnosis, etiology and treatment of dento-maxillo-facial dysmorphoses
• cranio-facial malformative syndromes
• use of medical imaging in orthodontics
• different cephalometric analyses:
  - tracing
  - interpretation
  - growth predictions with and without treatment
• development of dentition

Specialized orthodontics

• orthodontic terminology
• prevention and early treatment of malocclusions
• physiology of dental movements
• dento-facial orthopaedics
• orthodontic therapy :
  - elements of biomecanics
  - long term effects
  - recurrence
• iatrogenous and limiting effects of orthodontic treatment
• complete diagnosis
• treatment and treatment plan objectives in orthodontics
• orthodontic treatments and TMA

Orthodontic techniques

• removable appliances
• functional appliances
• extra-oral appliances
• fixed appliances :
  - sequences of treatment
  - properties of materials
  - principles of biomechanics
  - different fixed orthodontic techniques
  - partial fixed appliances  
• brace appliances

Multidisciplinary treatments

• ortho-surgical treatments 
• treatment of patients with labio-palatine clefts
• orthodontic treatments with parodontal pathology
• preprosthetic orthodontics

Special procedures

• special features of orthodontic treatment in adults
• use of implants and mini-screws in orthodontics
• distraction technique

Seminars

• discussion of treatment plans  
• impact of developments in orthodontic treatment : presentation of clinical cases
• reviews of the literature and discussion of articles
• use of speech therapy in orthodontics
• orthodontics and root resorptions