Integrating digital technologies in clinical dentistry training: a framework for competency-based education

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Dental Education
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Digital technologies are crucial for modernizing competency-based dental education.
• Structured frameworks for digital technology adoption are lacking, especially in resource-limited settings like Tanzania.
• This study assesses digital technology integration in clinical dentistry training in Tanzania.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of digital technology integration in clinical dentistry training in Tanzania.
• To identify barriers and challenges to digital technology adoption.
• To propose a structured framework for enhancing digital competency-based education in Tanzanian dental institutions.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Data collection via questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions with students, educators, graduates, and policymakers.
• Quantitative data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics; qualitative data subjected to thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 57% of institutions have electronic health records (EHR), 25% have digital imaging; advanced technologies like AI diagnostics and teledentistry are absent.
• Significant digital competency gaps exist, with only 27.5% of students/graduates rating proficiency as "good" or "very good."
• Limited faculty training (20% in public institutions) and key barriers including financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of policies were identified.

Conclusions:

• A structured digital integration framework is essential for Tanzanian dental training institutions.
• The proposed framework focuses on institutional readiness, faculty training, infrastructure development, and student competency enhancement.
• Implementation will improve digital literacy and equip graduates for contemporary dental practice.