Dental Education System in Kazakhstan: Current State, Challenges and Future Perspectives—A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVES: This review examines the evolution, current structure and reform trajectories of dental education in Kazakhstan in relation to international standards, the Bologna Process and contemporary competency-based approaches. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and CyberLeninka, complemented by governmental and institutional documents covering the Soviet period to 2025. The review was guided by the SANRA framework. English- and Russian-language sources were included. Grey literature and policy reports were analysed due to the limited availability of peer-reviewed evidence. RESULTS: Kazakhstan has made important progress in structurally aligning dental education with international standards through Bologna-compatible curricula, accreditation mechanisms, competency-based educational standards and emerging simulation-based learning. However, evidence of consistent outcome-level implementation remains limited. Key challenges include uneven clinical and simulation infrastructure, faculty shortages, limited English proficiency, variable implementation of competency-based curricula, and insufficient standardization of modern assessment methods such as OSCE and workplace-based assessment. Recent initiatives focus on alignment with ADEE and WFME standards, curriculum modernization, clinical training reform and quality assurance. CONCLUSION: Kazakhstan's dental education system is transitioning from structural reform toward competency-based modernization, but its educational effectiveness remains unevenly documented. Strengthening clinical training, standardized assessment, faculty development, evidence-based teaching and policy stability is essential for improving graduate preparedness and international comparability.