The Aarhus Model of Dental Education:A Case Study on Developing Interdisciplinary Dental Curricula

Background: Advances in dentistry, emerging technologies, increasingly medically complex cohort of patients, and evolving societal expectations, along with a focus on optimising resources, make interdisciplinary collaboration crucial for future dental professionals. Interprofessional teamwork must be integrated into dental curricula to prepare students for clinical practice in team-based healthcare. Aarhus University has undertaken a curricular reform for programmes in dentistry, dental hygiene, and clinical dental technology to enhance professional identity while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing, and teamwork to improve oral health outcomes.<br/>Objective: This case study describes the process of curricular reform aimed at increasing knowledge of competencies and synergy across programmes and strengthening students' interdisciplinary competencies.<br/>Methods: The reform process involved analysing existing curricula and exploring visions for new programmes to identify interdisciplinary elements and overlaps. The collected data were mapped and categorised to ensure structured implementation.<br/>Results: Several overlapping areas were identified and addressed through four key interdisciplinary initiatives across the dental, dental hygiene, and clinical dental technology programmes: (1) shared teaching elements, including common course components and electives, (2) shared faculty to align educational approaches, (3) shared clinical facilities, such as a bachelor’s programme clinic where students from the different programmes treat patients side by side, and (4) common pedagogical principles, including competence cards, feedback culture, dyadic training, and professionalism training. Structural challenges and legislative differences between programmes were key barriers to interdisciplinary integration.<br/>Conclusion: Implementing interdisciplinary elements across programmes in dental education requires a structured approach, a clear vision, and alignment of programme goals. Managerial and administrative support, as well as active faculty involvement, are essential for successful implementation. The experience gained from this reform highlights the importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in dental educations, and it is encouraged to consider curricular initiatives to enhance teamwork and optimise interdisciplinary learning outcomes for future dental professionals.<br/>