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Introduction

Healthcare is one of the most prestigious professions and has an enduring legacy. From the very beginning, this profession has noticed a continuous high influx of research and has been going through steady growth in terms of technological advancements. From the year 1846 till 1922, some of the greatest discoveries in the profession include the discovery and introduction of anesthesia, heat-killed vaccinations, and insulin for diabetic treatments. 

This forever-advancing profession has not slowed down in any way, and the healthcare industry continues to leverage the latest technologies for the betterment of the public with great success. This trend of embracing cutting-edge technologies has not been left out in the dental industry and education; rather, it is being utilized for the benefit of the practitioners and the wider public alike.

History of Dental Education & Industry

The dental industry has been around for quite a long time, and this can be proven by the fact that the first ever dental practitioner Hesy-Ra, was an Egyptian who practiced dentistry in 2600 B.C. He was well honored by the Pharaoh and has been mentioned in scribes of that time. Ever since then, the dental profession has been advancing along with the advancements in technology. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, and in 1530, the first book entirely devoted to dentistry was published. 

The first ever dental college established in the US was Baltimore College of Dental Surgery back in 1840 and almost 21 years later, ADA (American Dental Association) was formed. The first university-affiliated dental institution, the Harvard University Dental School, was founded in 1867. Furthermore, the first-ever dental X-ray was conducted in 1896. These were the foundation of dentistry and dental education in the US, upon which many new research studies have been undertaken.

Latest Tech Trends in Dental Education: 

Dentistry is a dynamic landscape where the oral health of a patient is at stake and the more you know, the better healthcare you can provide. The latest tech trends in dentistry are focused on assessing the oral health conditions and creating plans that improve the oral health of the patient along with diagnosing the dental conditions based on the X-Ray images. 

Dental education is focused on developing a curriculum that revolves around teaching healthcare professionals to provide top-notch dental care to patients. This includes developing and teaching the best possible use of technology to to provide the dental care. Some of the latest technology trends in Dental Education are as follows:

1. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)

The first ever VR device was developed in 1957 by an American inventor and filmmaker Morgan Heilig called “The Sensorama”. This was a large device and was lucrative to produce on a mass scale. A portable version of this device was created in 1980 called the “EyeTap”; however, none of these devices were focused on healthcare. Over the next decade, VR underwent some major improvements, and the VR devices now can provide realistic simulations. 

A good example of a VR device used in Dental Education is the CDS-100 designed by the EPED Inc. back in 2016. This is a dental simulator that is used for training purposes and is equipped with AR and VR technologies. Moreover, the  Optical Positioning System provides 3D real-time accurate feedback of optimal teeth's angle, depth, and abundant software lessons. Some other examples of such devices are PerioSim, DentSim, IDEA, Simodont. 

The integration of AR and VR in dental education has brought about a transformative shift, revolutionizing the way aspiring dental professionals acquire and hone their skills. They enable students to engage in realistic simulations of dental procedures, providing a risk-free environment for practice and skill development. Moreover, they allow students to explore intricate dental anatomies, delve into complex case scenarios, and collaborate in virtual environments, ultimately shaping the future generation of skilled and confident dental professionals.

2. E-Learning Platforms and Mobile Apps

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning platforms for various disciplines, including dental education, have been on the rise and have been providing learning environments without any boundaries, leveraging technologies like mobile applications. An observational study titled “Effects of e-learning methods on dental education” was conducted in September 2020. It explored the impacts of e-learning on dental education and concluded that the students of all groups found the learning to be effective. 

Platforms for e-learning, specifically for dental education, have been coming to the surface and have been growing. One of the prominent platforms is “My Dental Key that was started by five students of  Harvard Dental School in November 2020. The platform aims to provide dental students with instructional videos allowing them to self-study and develop knowledge of both theoretical subjects and clinical procedures. Beginning with 3000 instructional videos, the platform gained 3000 users and 350 active subscribers within 6 months of the launch. 

In summary, e-learning platforms have transformed dental education by offering flexible, accessible learning experiences. These platforms, enriched with multimedia content, empower students to learn at their own pace, breaking traditional constraints. E-learning has revolutionized dental education, creating a dynamic and accessible environment for aspiring dental professionals to develop self learning and expand their horizons of knowledge.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Learning

AI has been in development since the late 90s, but recently, we have seen a version of AI that is helping people from all walks of life with their tasks. Dental Education and Research have been seeing AI as a tool for faster and more accurate learning as well, and it is evident that AI is revolutionizing this aspect as well. Some of the most impactful parts of Dental Education that AI is revolutionizing are AI-assisted diagnosis of dental diseases and AI-powered image analysis and interpretation.

Students of dental degree programs are able to learn at a faster pace with these tools and are able to understand the process of analyzing X-Ray images and come up with diagnoses with the help of AI. Furthermore, AI is improving the efficiency and accuracy of administrative and documentation tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records.

With AI empowering dental students in these aspects, it is clear that the future of dental professionals will be bright in terms of both knowledge and experience. Students who leverage AI for learning will be miles ahead and will be able to provide top-notch oral healthcare to their patients. 

4. 3D Printing for Anatomical Models

3D printing has been available for the past two decades for various professionals including Dentists and has proven to be helpful for students and instructors of dental degree programs. The use of 3D printed anatomical models of patients is one of the lowest risk methods for students to learn the diagnosis of different oral diseases. Instructors use this tool to create an engaging learning session. 

Restorative Dentistry is one of the major aspects of Dentistry and 3D printing technology has been a remarkable support for this aspect. Students of the Dentistry Discipline have available software called “orthodontic CAD software” that allows them to design the restoration with intricate details. This design can be printed out with the exact details of the restoration. This process not only trains students for this process but also gives them a deeper understanding of how each and every part of the oral region works. 

5. Blockchain for Credentialing

The world of blockchain got the hype with the rise of cryptocurrency back in 2017, but cryptocurrency is only a part of what blockchain technology offers. Blockchain technology can significantly enhance the credentialing process for universities and colleges that offer dental degree programs. It provides a secure, transparent, and efficient system for verifying and managing credentials by accessing the decentralized ledger as compared to the traditional methods of getting in touch with the institutions directly. 

Students of dental discipline can also benefit from blockchain technology for their credentials as they will have greater access to their credentials and will be able to share them securely. Furthermore, smart contracts within the blockchain can allow these credentials to be automatically updated in such a way that if a 4-year degree program gets completed, the credentials will show the degree as completed without the student having to update it.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the convergence of cutting-edge technologies is reshaping the landscape of dental education, ushering an era of unprecedented innovation and efficiency. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications offer immersive, risk-free learning experiences, while E-Learning Platforms provide accessibility and flexibility for students to engage with dynamic educational content. Artificial Intelligence (AI) personalized learning adapts to individual needs, while 3D printing technology brings tangible, realistic models into the hands of students for hands-on training. Notably, integrating Blockchain for credentialing ensures a secure, transparent, and decentralized system for verifying academic achievements. As these tech trends continue to evolve, they collectively contribute to a transformative educational experience, equipping dental professionals with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability needed to excel in the dynamic healthcare landscape of the future.