On November 13–24, an associate professor from the Netherlands Yvonne A. B. Buunk-Werkhoven visited the Oral Health Department of the Faculty of Medicine. The lecturer has spent almost two weeks at the faculty and introduced the students of the Odontological Care, Oral Hygiene and Dental Technology study programmes to the importance and principles of cooperation and teamwork in the fields of professional activity.

Yvonne A. B. Buunk-Werkhoven gave theoretical and practical lectures to the students about teamwork in the field of odontological care and the importance of cooperation. The docent also presented the students with the role of the dental hygienist, dental assistant and dental technician in improving oral health and organised a round table discussion on the comparison of oral care models in Holland and Lithuania. Yvonne A. B. Buunk-Werkhoven also introduced the students and led a seminar on social applied research during oral care studies and deepened the students’ knowledge in other topics relevant to the speciality.

Multicultural experiences gained during the visit are extremely important for increasing the professional awareness of future specialists. This improves students’ preparation for the labour market and helps them work creatively and efficiently with patients of various groups in complex and changing situations.

Associate Professor Yvonne A. B. Buunk-Werkhoven has accumulated extensive experience in scientific and pedagogical activity, is the author and co-author of scientific books, participates in international projects and research groups, has taught at higher education institutions in several countries, contributes to the activities of the European Dental Hygienists Federation and actively participates in the promotion and development of students’ scientific activities.

During the lectures, students had the opportunity to understand the importance of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cooperation, to form a new approach to different work cultures. Daiva Mačiulienė, Head of the Oral Health Department, is happy that the visiting specialists help improve students’ intercultural competence in professional cooperation. Such experiences significantly contribute to the successful professional adaptation of future specialists.