Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice

Introduction: Dental education is undergoing a major transformation due to evolving healthcare needs, technological advancements, and the demand for dental practitioners to meet the diverse needs of a global patient community. Competency-based education (CBE) is at the forefront of this change, focu...

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Main Authors: Galvin Sim Siang Lin, Tong Wah Lim, Mariana Minatel Braga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: National University of Singapore 2025-04-01
Series:The Asia Pacific Scholar
Online Access:https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/embracing-competency-based-education-for-modern-dental-practice/
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author Galvin Sim Siang Lin
Tong Wah Lim
Mariana Minatel Braga
author_facet Galvin Sim Siang Lin
Tong Wah Lim
Mariana Minatel Braga
author_sort Galvin Sim Siang Lin
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Dental education is undergoing a major transformation due to evolving healthcare needs, technological advancements, and the demand for dental practitioners to meet the diverse needs of a global patient community. Competency-based education (CBE) is at the forefront of this change, focusing on what students are competent in upon graduation. Unlike traditional models, CBE emphasises practical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Methods: This article explores the shift towards CBE in dental education, examining frameworks that support CBE like Miller's Pyramid and guidelines from organisations such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). It also involves a detailed analysis of these frameworks and their application in designing competency-based curricula. Results: The findings reveal that CBE facilitates a student-centric approach, enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and autonomous self-assessment. These frameworks guide the design of curricula including identifying core competencies, defining competency levels, mapping competencies to learning outcomes, selecting effective teaching methods and utilising various assessment strategies. However, implementing CBE faces challenges, including measuring soft skills and resistance from educators and students. Conclusion: CBE represents a paradigm shift in dental education, ensuring graduates are not only knowledgeable but proficient in practical skills. Future recommendations include incorporating technology-enhanced learning, global health competencies, and sustainability practices into the curriculum. Continuous professional development for educators and robust feedback mechanisms are needed to maintain the curriculum's relevance and effectiveness, ensuring dental graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of modern dental practice.
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spelling doaj-art-40c7e9713a534e268f88bc3a669777ee2025-08-20T02:06:19ZengNational University of SingaporeThe Asia Pacific Scholar2424-93352424-92702025-04-0110281210.29060/TAPS.2025-10-2/GP3440Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practiceGalvin Sim Siang Lin0Tong Wah Lim1Mariana Minatel Braga2Department of Restorative Dentistry, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, International Islamic University Malaysia, MalaysiaDivision of Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R.Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, BrazilIntroduction: Dental education is undergoing a major transformation due to evolving healthcare needs, technological advancements, and the demand for dental practitioners to meet the diverse needs of a global patient community. Competency-based education (CBE) is at the forefront of this change, focusing on what students are competent in upon graduation. Unlike traditional models, CBE emphasises practical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Methods: This article explores the shift towards CBE in dental education, examining frameworks that support CBE like Miller's Pyramid and guidelines from organisations such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). It also involves a detailed analysis of these frameworks and their application in designing competency-based curricula. Results: The findings reveal that CBE facilitates a student-centric approach, enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and autonomous self-assessment. These frameworks guide the design of curricula including identifying core competencies, defining competency levels, mapping competencies to learning outcomes, selecting effective teaching methods and utilising various assessment strategies. However, implementing CBE faces challenges, including measuring soft skills and resistance from educators and students. Conclusion: CBE represents a paradigm shift in dental education, ensuring graduates are not only knowledgeable but proficient in practical skills. Future recommendations include incorporating technology-enhanced learning, global health competencies, and sustainability practices into the curriculum. Continuous professional development for educators and robust feedback mechanisms are needed to maintain the curriculum's relevance and effectiveness, ensuring dental graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of modern dental practice.https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/embracing-competency-based-education-for-modern-dental-practice/
spellingShingle Galvin Sim Siang Lin
Tong Wah Lim
Mariana Minatel Braga
Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
The Asia Pacific Scholar
title Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
title_full Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
title_fullStr Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
title_full_unstemmed Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
title_short Embracing competency-based education for modern dental practice
title_sort embracing competency based education for modern dental practice
url https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/embracing-competency-based-education-for-modern-dental-practice/
work_keys_str_mv AT galvinsimsianglin embracingcompetencybasededucationformoderndentalpractice
AT tongwahlim embracingcompetencybasededucationformoderndentalpractice
AT marianaminatelbraga embracingcompetencybasededucationformoderndentalpractice