The dental profession is an important segment of human health care services all over the world. Dental schools in Europe and United States have evolved their curriculum to keep abreast with advances in dentistry; like connective tissue biophysics and molecular engineering through an objectively structured and clinically oriented curriculum. However, dental education in our country is still mostly traditional. This article examines the new approaches to teaching and learning in dental schools/colleges that are shaping dental curriculum globally. Articles relating to curricular trends in dental education and advancement in the dental profession published between 2010-2020 were searched in medical search engines. However, few relevant articles published before this period were also consulted. The current trends in dental curricula show new teaching, learning, and assessment methods like small group discussions, case-based learning, competency-based learning, Inquiry-based teaching-learning, and peer-assisted learning. The curricular format is integrated and new innovative assessment techniques like the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) are being employed. Virtual reality, interdisciplinary teaching, and distributed community models in dental education are being implemented. The emergence of COVID-19 has also affected dental education and as a result, e-learning formats and assessment techniques have become increasingly popular. Dental schools abroad have revamped their curriculum with the advances in newer technologies and research related to dentistry. There is a need to immediately update and redesign the present dental curriculum in our country as well.
Objective: To explore student’s perception regarding use of E-posters as a learning strategy after its use in the learning of public health concepts in the Gastro Intestinal Tract module. Study Design: Interventional study. Setting: Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad. Period: August 2019 to August 2020. Material & Methods: Year 3 undergraduate medical students of a private college of Pakistan were given a task to present an e-poster in the module of Gastro-Intestinal Tract, focusing on the public health aspect. Students were divided into 7 groups comprising of 13 students each. Each group was provided with one individual study theme. They were provided with a template to cover all aspects of public health. All the basic scientists involving 30 faculty members were invited to judge the e-poster through a checklist. The mean score was calculated. A certificate was awarded to the group that scored the highest. A focused group interview involving one voluntary participant from each group was carried out. Thematic analysis was done manually. Results: Themes generated in focus group discussion are Opportunities for Self-Directed Learning, Opportunities for Self-reflection, Good formative assessment, Peer to Peer Interaction and Collaboration, Opportunities for developing Self-Regulation, Innovative learning strategy, Working in teams and Confidence Building, Use of IT Related Skills, Need of More Facilities. Conclusion: Students welcomed the use of innovative learning through electronic media when carried out in a relaxed environment.
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