STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER DENTAL EDUCATION IN THE USA

This article examines the stages of development of higher dental education in the United States, focusing on its historical, current, and future aspects. The primary aim of the research is to analyze the key challenges within the dental education system and offer potential solutions to address these issues. To achieve this goal, various research methods were employed, including comparative analysis, literature review, and empirical research. These approaches facilitated the identification of critical trends and persistent problems in dental education. The findings suggest that the integration of modern technologies into the educational process is crucial for improving the quality of dental education. Digital technologies, simulators, and remote learning methods have the potential to enhance the training of future dentists, providing more flexible and interactive learning opportunities. However, unresolved issues remain, such as the standardization of curricula across different educational institutions and the need for educator training to meet new challenges posed by innovative teaching methods. The article also highlights the importance of aligning educational programs with current realities and labor market demands. Moreover, there is a growing necessity to modernize the system by developing interdisciplinary approaches and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policy makers. These reforms are essential to ensure that dental education continues to produce highly qualified professionals capable of responding to the evolving needs of both the healthcare system and society at large. The article concludes that ongoing adaptation and innovation in dental education will be vital to addressing the demands of a rapidly changing field.