Adapting dental education for Generation Z: Why active learning is key

Speaking to Dental Tribune International, study co-author Dr Sofia Piglionico, assistant professor in paediatric dentistry at the National University of Cuyo in Mendoza, commented on the greatest obstacles to implementing such an approach. “In my opinion, the biggest barrier is time,” she said. “Adopting student-centred methods requires not only reworking the entire pedagogical plan but also rethinking how content is delivered, which demands a significant time investment. Developing and updating these approaches requires ongoing training and professional development. This is often difficult to prioritise in health teaching because medical professors are often overwhelmed not only with teaching and research but also with clinical duties.”

Institutional commitment is essential too, such as in the provision of structured professional development, protection of teaching time and investment in educational technology. Without this, even the most innovative strategies risk falling short.

According to Dr Piglionico, embracing these new educational strategies should not be seen as an end-point but rather as a juncture in the ongoing process of pedagogical evolution. “I don’t believe that these generational learning preferences represent a permanent transformation, but they are rather part of a continuous process of adapting to technological and society changes,” she said. “Education has always evolved in response to shifts in culture, technology, and student needs. Even now, with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, we’re being pushed to rethink educational strategies again. So, the challenge for educators is to remain flexible and open-minded, ready to continue adapting education whenever necessary,” she explained.

Ultimately, reshaping dental education for Gen Z requires systemic change, something also observed in medical education more generally.³ By embracing active learning and equipping teaching staff with the requisite skills and resources, dental schools can create environments that mirror the interactive, technology-driven world that their students know best. This can not only enhance learning outcomes but also prepare future dentists to thrive in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.