Challenges and Pathways for the Professional Development of Dental Technology Educators
Journal: Journal of Higher Education Research DOI: 10.32629/jher.v7i2.5157
Abstract
Dental technology is a highly specialized and practice-oriented discipline, in which the professional development of its educators directly impacts the quality of talent cultivation. In recent years, driven by the rapid iteration of digital dental technology and the in-depth advancement of the "New Medical Sciences" initiative, dental technology educators face multiple pressures, including technological updates, pedagogical transformation, and the integration of industry and education. Based on an analysis of the role orientation and core competencies of dental technology educators, this study outlines the main challenges faced by this group in their professional development. These challenges include the pressure of technological iteration and knowledge updates, difficulties in pedagogical transformation, insufficient depth in industry-education integration, and an inadequate support system. Dental technology educators should continuously enhance their comprehensive qualities through concept renewal, skill development, technology empowerment, industry-education collaboration, integration of research and teaching, and teaching reflection. Actively exploring practical pathways to promote the professional development of dental technology educators will drive the high-quality development of dental technology education.
Keywords
dental technology, teacher professional development, artificial intelligence, teaching competence, integration of industry and education
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[3]Evans J, Henderson A, Johnson N. The future of education and training in dental technology: designing a dental curriculum that facilitates teamwork across the oral health professions[J]. British Dental Journal, 2010, 208(5): 227-230.
[4]Mattheos N, Stefanovic N, Apps A. Potential of information technology in dental education[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2008, 12(s1): 85-92.
[5]Bobich AM, Mitchell BL. Transforming dental technology education: skills, knowledge, and curricular reform[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2017, 81(9): eS46-eS54.
[6]Zheng M, Bender D. Faculty professional development in emergent pedagogies for instructional innovation in dental education[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2017, 21(4): 201-210.
[7]Omar M, Kamaruzaman FM. Technical and Vocational Education Training and Industry Collaboration: A Bibliometric Review[J]. Journal of Education and Learning, 2024, 18(1): 1-15.
[8]Field J, Spencer R, Johnson I, et al. Professional standards in dental education[J]. British Dental Journal, 2020, 228(7): 524-528.
[9]Saeidi AA, Fareed WM, Alshahrani A. Digital Technologies in Dentistry: A Study on CAD/CAM, 3D Printing, Digital Impressions and Digital X-Ray among Dental Professionals[J]. South East European Journal, 2024, 18(2): 100-112.
[10]Ardila CM, González-Arroyave D. Efficacy of CAD/CAM technology in dental procedures performed by students: a systematic scoping review of randomized clinical trials[J]. Heliyon, 2023, 9(3): e14129.
[11]Firmstone VR, Elley KM, Skrybant MT. Systematic review of the effectiveness of continuing dental professional development on learning, behavior, or patient outcomes[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2013, 77(3): 300-315.
[12]Yamakami SA, Nagai M, Chutinant S. 3D Digital technology as an alternative educational tool in preclinical dentistry[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2022, 26(2): 329-338.
[13]Heitkamp SJ, Röttermann S, Gerhardt-Szép S. Work shadowing in dental teaching practices: evaluation results of a collaborative study between university and general dental practices[J]. BMC Medical Education, 2018, 18(1): 50.
[14]Alexander D, Clarkson J, Buchanan R. Exploring opportunities for collaboration between the corporate sector and the dental education community[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2008, 12(s1): 4-11.
[15]Iacopino AM. The influence of "new science" on dental education: current concepts, trends, and models for the future[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2007, 71(4): 450-462.
[16]Hendricson WD, Anderson E. Does faculty development enhance teaching effectiveness?[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2007, 71(12): 1513-1533.
[17]Wang X, Wan Z, Feng X, et al. Perceptions of a digital dental technology curriculum: a qualitative study of dental technology students[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2025, 29(1): 130-142.
[18]Omar M, Kamaruzaman FM. Technical and Vocational Education Training and Industry Collaboration: A Bibliometric Review[J]. Journal of Education and Learning, 2024, 18(1): 1-15.
[19]Khurshid Z. Digital dentistry: transformation of oral health and dental education with technology[J]. European Journal of Dentistry, 2023, 17(4): 943-954.
[20]Petre AE, Pantea M, Drafta S, et al. Modular digital and 3D-printed dental models with applicability in dental education[J]. Medicina, 2023, 59(1): 116.
[21]Lyon LJ, Hoover TE, Giusti L, et al. Teaching skill acquisition and development in dental education[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2016, 80(8): 916-925.
[22]Heitkamp SJ, Röttermann S, Gerhardt-Szép S. Work shadowing in dental teaching practices: evaluation results of a collaborative study between university and general dental practices[J]. BMC Medical Education, 2018, 18(1): 50.
[23]Carrasco-Guardiola I. CAD/CAM and Digital Flow Training in Dental Hygiene Vocational Education[J]. PMC, 2025.
[24]Kraemer-Fernandez P, Spintzyk E, Wahl E, et al. Implementation of a full digital workflow by 3D printing intraoral splints used in dental education[J]. Dentistry Journal, 2022, 11(1): 5.
[25]Evans J, Henderson AJ, Sun J, et al. The value of inter-professional education: a comparative study of dental technology students' perceptions across four countries[J]. British Dental Journal, 2015, 218(5): 295-300.
[26]Gillis MR, McNally ME. The influence of industry on dental education[J]. Journal of Dental Education, 2010, 74(10): 1081-1089.
[27]Møystad A, Lycke KH, Barkvoll T. Faculty development for clinical teachers in dental education[J]. European Journal of Dental Education, 2015, 19(4): 205-210.
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