“Comprehensive Instrumental Functional Examination in Multidisciplinary Stomatology”: Training Course

The Department of Interdisciplinary Stomatology and Oral Rehabilitation within the Faculty of Stomatology at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova organized the training course “Comprehensive Instrumental Functional Examination in Multidisciplinary Dentistry” – Module B, an extensive educational program dedicated to functional diagnosis and its integration into multidisciplinary clinical practice.

The event took place on September 11-13, 2026, bringing together undergraduate students, resident physicians, stomatologists, and academic staff interested in the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.

Participants addressed several key topics, including anatomical and kinematic facebows, instrumental functional examination, condylography diagnosis using the CADIAX Diagnostic system, lateral cephalometric radiography, the fundamentals of cephalometric analysis, as well as CBCT and MRI imaging diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint.

The workshop provided attendees with the opportunity to apply modern examination and diagnostic methods: bite registration, determination of the centric relation and reference position, use of the Reference SL articulator, mounting models using facebow data, and instrumental analysis of models in the articulator. Particular attention was paid to the evaluation of vertical dimension and the occlusal plane, alongside computerized data processing with Gamma Dental Software and individualized programming of the articulator.

Seminars complemented the practical component by deepening the understanding of CBCT and MRI imaging diagnosis of the temporomandibular joint, the application of CADIAX Diagnostic, and the analysis of complex clinical cases.

University Professor Valeriu Fala, Head of the Department of Interdisciplinary Stomatology and Oral Rehabilitation, and project coordinator, stated that this program directly bridges theory and clinical practice. "From functional examination and condylography to imaging analysis, articulator usage, and complex case evaluation, our goal was to foster an integrated approach to patient care. The high level of engagement among participants confirms the clear need to continue these specialized training initiatives," noted the professor.

A key highlight of the workshop was its interdisciplinary and practical nature. Discussions and hands-on demonstrations underscored the necessity of correlating clinical, functional, occlusal, and imaging data to achieve an accurate diagnosis and establish personalized treatment strategies.

"Participating in this course provided me with the opportunity to reinforce a comprehensive perspective on the stomatognathic system as an integrated functional unit, where dento-periodontal, articular, and neuromuscular components are evaluated not in isolation, but through their interdependencies and the integration of the stomatognathic system within the whole organism," stated Victoria Garaba, a fifth-year Stomatology student.

The hybrid format – offering both in-person and online participation – facilitated knowledge sharing and enabled a broader audience of professionals to access the educational sessions, contributing to the development of an academic and professional community dedicated to advanced approaches in managing orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.

The event was held within the framework of the CROSS-EduNOC project (CROSS-border EDUcational Network for Orofacial Pain and Craniomandibular Disorders), co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Romania - Republic of Moldova Program. The beneficiary institutions of the project are Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi and Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova.