Is dental education becoming too focused on technology at the expense of hands-on skills?
The pace of technological change in dentistry is impressive. Digital scanning, 3D printing, virtual simulation, artificial intelligence – what once seemed futuristic is now routine in many dental schools. These advances are changing how we teach, how students learn, and ultimately, how dentistry is practised.
However, as we continue to integrate more technology into dental education, a question is being asked with increasing frequency: Are we prioritising digital skills at the expense of hands-on experience?