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Optimizing Research Education in U.S. Military Postgraduate Dental Residency Programs
Jeffrey J Kim1, Ronald M Cervero1, Anita Samuel1
1Department of Health Professions Education, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20889, United States.
Military Medicine
|July 23, 2025
Summary
Military dental residency programs have similar research curricula but need better time management and standardized critical thinking training. This ensures dentists are prepared for evidence-based practice and high-quality patient care.
Area of Science:
- Dental Education
- Medical Research Training
- Military Health Systems
Background:
- U.S. military postgraduate dental schools operate independently, graduating over 75 specialists annually.
- Accreditation mandates research but offers minimal curriculum guidance, causing program variability.
- Standardized research curricula are needed to ensure military dentists' readiness for evidence-based practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate research curricula in U.S. military postgraduate dental residency programs.
- To identify common themes, strengths, and challenges in military dental research education.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and syllabus analysis.
- Purposive sampling of 11 participants (faculty and recent graduates) from Army, Navy, and Air Force programs.
- Thematic analysis based on Kern's curriculum development and Braun and Clarke's framework.
Main Results:
- Common goals, content, and teaching methods were observed, with local adaptations.
- Key themes included critical thinking, limited research time, educational mission, and instructional modes.
- Challenges identified were faculty turnover, instructional variability, and poor time management.
Conclusions:
- Department of Defense dental residency programs provide comparable research curricula with distinct strengths.
- Centralizing critical thinking development is key for an optimal research curriculum.
- Effective time management and self-directed learning are vital for integrating research with clinical duties.
