Project title
Strengthening professional identity in dental students during technological and educational transformation
Country
Malaysia
Background
Dental education is undergoing rapid technological and pedagogical transformation, yet we still do not understand how these changes are shaping the professional identity of future dentists.
As artificial intelligence, digital workflows, virtual simulation, and competency-based assessments become central to training, students may struggle to interpret their role, maintain ethical clarity, and develop the confidence expected of trusted healthcare professionals. Without deliberate support, there is a risk of weakened clinical judgment, overreliance on technology, and fragmented professional values – all of which can impact patient safety.
By examining how students form their identity within this evolving landscape, this project provides essential evidence to guide dental schools in nurturing graduates who are not only technically competent but are also ethical, reflective, and responsible clinicians.
Summary
As dentistry evolves, students are increasingly exposed to systems that emphasise technical competence but may unintentionally neglect deeper aspects of ethical reasoning, accountability, and professional values.
The study will explore how these shifts influence students’ perceptions of themselves as future healthcare providers and how they balance clinical responsibility with emerging digital tools. Using a multi-phase, mixed-methods approach, the project will examine curriculum structures, assess student experiences through surveys, focus groups, and digital storytelling, and engage educators and patients in scenario planning.
Outcome
This study aims to generate a deeper understanding of how modern technologies and evolving educational practices shape dental students’ professional identity, confidence, and ethical decision-making. It hopes to identify where current curricula may unintentionally weaken identity formation and reveal strategies that strengthen students’ accountability, clinical judgment, and commitment to patient safety. Ultimately, the study seeks to produce practical tools and a guiding framework that help educators, institutions, and policymakers better support students in becoming competent, ethical, and trusted dental professionals in a digitally-driven healthcare environment.