Need for paradigm shift in Indian dental education: A case for change toward competency-based education

Abstract

Dental education came into existence in the early 20 th century in India and is at a critical juncture at present. Dental education, as we know it today, evolved from the Gies Report in 1926, i.e., university-housed and scientifically based shortly after Flexner made his landmark report on the existing and proposed medical education system. Present-day education system is exam driven. This is compounded by compartmentalized approach to patient management as the present curriculum is not designed for either horizontal or vertical integration. Although graduates perform exceedingly well in the academic environment, it has been observed that they are not ready for practice. Many dental schools in the west are gradually undergoing a paradigm shift and transitioning to a competency-based education curriculum. Schools must become unburdened from departmental courses and move toward interdisciplinary integration. This paper highlights the need for shift in paradigm of dental education in the Indian context.