The syllabus is structured around the thematic sections listed below. Each section focuses on the analysis of different types of written and oral texts taken, adapted and simplified from original documents. Each unit includes sections dedicated to grammar practice and vocabulary building, as well as exercises aimed at developing the students’ four language skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) in a systematic and integrated way.
Thematic sections:
1. Languages for Specific Purposes. Specialized dental terminology vs. lay expressions. Working with definitions and dictionaries.
2. Healthcare professionals. Major medical specialties. Dental professionals. Ancient dentistry.
3. The human body. Body systems. The mouth. Dental anatomy.
4. Prosthetics. Types and classifications. Dental impression materials.
5. The hospital. Understanding the daily ward routine.
6. Accidents and emergencies. First aid. Pain. Symptoms.
7. Nutrition. Food and diet. Bad habits.
8. Common illnesses. Pandemics. Infectious diseases.
9. Death and dying. Hygiene and prevention.
10. Medical equipment.
11. Communicating with suppliers and patients. Business emails and calls.
12. Ethics in medicine. Informed consent.
13. Job interview. Dentistry student’s profile. Practical skills: How to write a CV.
14. English as a modern lingua franca of medical communication. Discursive practices in Medical English. Practical skills: Oral and written communication skills. Understanding a scientific publication. Introduction to writing a scientific paper.
This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class.

The course book is the following:
• G. Lauzi and N. Buchan Tomarchio, Smile! The English you need as a Dental Professional, Franco Lucisano Editore, 2014.
The book is available also as e-book.
Other course materials and PowerPoint presentations will be available online.
Supplementary texts (optional reading):
- V. Evans, J. Dooley, J. Caldwell, Career Paths: Dentistry (Student’s Books 2 & 3), Express Publishing, 2016.
- C. Dofka, Dental Terminology, Delmar / Cengage Learning, New York, 2013.