A Comprehensive Template for Inclusion of Research in the Undergraduate Dental Curriculum

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence exists that undergraduate students in the health professions benefit from an early introduction to research skills. However, many undergraduate health programs internationally have a minimal inclusion of research methods in their curricula. Most dental curricula focus most of their time and energy on clinical dental training. Increased emphasis on research in dentistry has led many schools to include research in their undergraduate curriculum. This commentary describes the structured inclusion of a constructively aligned research module in the undergraduate curriculum in all Malaysian dental universities.

Method

This commentary reports the structured inclusion of research at one of the private dental universities in Malaysia. Students in a cohort were formed into groups. The dean appoints academic staff members as supervisors to each of the groups in their research work from the selection of the research topic to the presentation of the research work in an external conference. The student scientific conferences provide students with a platform to showcase their research.

Results

All the research groups presented their research in an external conference, and two groups could convert their research reports to articles in international peer-reviewed journals. Feedback provided by the students identified many positives and highlighted a few barriers in conducting student research projects.

Conclusion

The approach taken by the Malaysian dental academic fraternity over the past decade to build and strengthen research in the undergraduate dental curriculum provides a template which other nations can follow.