As oral health care provision evolves within an increasingly complex, digital, and evidence-driven world, so must the education of our future oral health care practitioners. The GED (Graduate European Dentist) Curriculum Taskforce, through Domain V (Research), has developed a strategic framework to ensure that graduates are not only clinically competent, but also confident in engaging with scientific evidence, ethical reasoning, and innovation throughout their careers.
Informed by shared challenges and diverse educational contexts across Europe, through dynamic discussions and exchange of ideas, the taskforce group gathered around a shared vision of a curriculum, with an emphasis on a single, essential goal which is for the future graduate to become research-literate, critically thinker, and innovation-ready dental professionals.
From evidence consumers to evidence creators
Traditionally, dental curricula have often confined research to isolated modules or final-year projects. Our taskforce envisions something more: a longitudinal and immersive journey where students develop research skills year by year, growing from evidence consumers to contributors and, eventually, leaders in scientific and clinical innovation.
Starting from foundational principles in Year 1, students will become familiar with research language, learn to navigate databases, and begin to ask critical questions. As they progress, they explore study designs, data analysis, ethical related issues considering study designs, and the real-world implications of scientific decision-making. By their final year, students are equipped not just to understand new technologies, such as AI in diagnostics, but to evaluate and lead their implementation in practice. This progression is not about producing academic researchers alone. It is about cultivating critical enquiring minds who can make sound, ethical decisions in the face of evolving evidence, who question assumptions, and communicate findings clearly and responsibly.
Innovation in teaching, integration in learning
The structure we propose is not only rich in content, but also in how that content is delivered. Rather than traditional lectures and exams, this curriculum encourages active learning—through problem-solving, collaborative discussions, debates, and community-based engagement. Research is not taught in isolation but integrated into clinical training and broader professional development. Whether evaluating a treatment option, engaging with public health challenges, or considering the ethical use of technology, students are encouraged to think like researchers in every aspect of their education.
An essential component of this integration is continuity. Research skills are scaffolded from simple to complex tasks, and assessments will reflect real-world applications: from presenting findings at student symposia to contributing to a student-led research newsletter. Faculty mentorship is embedded throughout, providing the support and expertise necessary to guide students through the research processes in a meaningful way.
Shaping the future “Graduate European Dentist”
In today’s dynamic and technology driven world, the dental professional cannot remain static. They must adapt to changing technologies, respond to emerging health trends, and uphold evidence-based standards in increasingly interdisciplinary environments. The revised Research Domain of the GED Curriculum acknowledges this reality and offers a structured yet flexible roadmap for how institutions can equip students to thrive. By embedding research, critical thinking, and innovation throughout the five years of undergraduate training, we are shaping a graduate who is:
- Curious and critical: Able to question and appraise evidence thoughtfully.
- Ethically minded: Attuned to the responsibilities that come with clinical decision-making and scientific communication.
- Digitally literate: Capable of evaluating and integrating new technologies like AI in dental practice.
- Adaptable and have Collaborative approach: Comfortable working across disciplines and engaging with global health themes.
A Call for collaboration
This framework represents the collective insight and commitment of educators, clinicians, and researchers across Europe, represented in the membership of the taskforce group. But its success depends on ongoing collaboration within institutions, between countries, and among the students themselves. We invite all ADEE members and partner institutions to reflect on how this vision might be adapted, piloted, and shared. The group will be presenting their work and recommendations at the coming ADEE Annual Conference in Dublin`on Friday 22nd August 2025 at 09:00.
Let us continue the conversation on how best to prepare our graduates not only for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we can ensure that the Graduate European Dentist is not only a provider of care, but also a leader in evidence, an innovator in practice, and a champion of health for all.
Domain V (Research ) GED Taskforce group:
Ana Angelova Volponi, Margarita Iniesta Albentosa, Richard Holmes, Charlotte Emanuel, Ina Schueler, Stefan Rupf, Ellie Heidari, Florent Meyer, Maria Cristina Manzanares Cespedes, Simona Schick, James Field, Sibylle Vital, Jonathan Dixon, Denis Murphy
