Enhancing dental education in Iran: Strategies and innovations for improved oral health outcomes

Dental education in Iran has undergone significant changes in recent years. However, dental education in Iran has faced challenges such as outdated curricula, insufficient funding, and inadequate training facilities, impacting the quality of education and preparedness of dental graduates. This article presents a mixed-methods study that identifies strategies to enhance dental education in Iran, drawing from international literature and insights from dental educators. Key strategies include curriculum revision prioritizing hands-on clinical experience, technology integration through artificial intelligence (AI), VR, and nanotechnology, utilization of social media for engagement, and implementation of mentoring programs. These strategies offer unique opportunities to improve educational quality, student preparedness, and oral health outcomes. By implementing these recommendations, dental education in Iran can evolve to meet the needs of the population and produce skilled professionals capable of delivering high-quality oral healthcare services. It is imperative for dental schools in Iran to prioritize the adoption of these strategies to elevate the standard of dental education and promote better oral health outcomes nationwide.