Rethinking preclinical training: student collaboration, developing personal 3D-printed instrument analogues, and the smartphone.

Research and exploration continually yield advances in technology and approaches to education. There is often a crossover between these domains, giving rise to technology-enhanced learning. The traditional trainer-imparting-wisdom-to-trainee model is no longer considered a one-way discourse. Dundee School of Dentistry has been exploring novel methods of preclinical and clinical training for quite some time and this is clearly apparent in the 4D curriculum. Key technological areas that have rapidly evolved in the past decade holding tremendous educational potential include personal digital device functionality, along with 3D scanning and printing.This article details a trainee-trainer collaboration to update an existing 3D-printed training tool, simulating a handpiece to interface with capacitive screens.

Dental education at Dundee Dental Hospital and School - a notable past and inspiring future.

Dundee Dental Hospital and School has been present on Park Place, Dundee for over 100 years. During this time, it has been at the forefront of dental care and education, first as part of the University of St Andrews and subsequently the University of Dundee. This innovation continues with novel undergraduate curricula for dental and dental therapy students, providing early clinical experience and integrating clinical teaching with the appropriate sciences. We also offer several taught postgraduate programmes, popular particularly with international students. Dundee was at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme leading the world on guidance for safe clinical practice. Innovative solutions for the ongoing delivery of teaching and assessment also were developed. Research underpins teaching and the delivery of dental care and Dundee has an international reputation for its research portfolio. All of the above can only be achieved by close working relationships between the University and NHS, which will be strengthened further by the creation of the Dundee Dental Research Hospital and School. Our international reputation will continue to attract students and staff from across the world.

Mobile apps for oral healthcare: recommendations for navigating uncharted terrain.

The past two years have prompted significant changes with regards to how healthcare is both taught and delivered. There has been a shift towards remote healthcare interventions where appropriate. As we return towards pre-pandemic practice, we must recognise that the healthcare environment has permanently changed. It is vital that safeguards and 'pandemic proofing' are built into healthcare provision.The prevalence of personal digital devices continues to increase, along with internet coverage. This technological revolution has also brought with it a plethora of free or cheap online platforms that allow individuals with limited IT skills to make mobile applications (apps). These factors create a perfect environment for considering mobile apps as viable, widespread healthcare interventions. There is also great potential for these to contribute to tackling inequality, reducing barriers and enhancing healthcare access. However, their use must be carefully considered.This article discusses the myriad of considerations pertaining to both developing and recommending mobile apps for healthcare. Examples of contemporaneous examples will be used, in conjunction with an app developed by the authors to demonstrate the process of creating bespoke resources.

Remote access to clinics: build back better.

Since the advice to 'stay at home' on 23 March 2020, there has been an enforced upsurge in the use of remote services. Clinical constraints within the dental schools have drastically reduced trainee/patient exposure and utilising available tools to increase patient contact is invaluable. Developing robust protocols and frameworks for remote activities is key to ensuring safe, secure and effective learning experiences. In Dundee, we have invested in careful planning to implement online engagement with clinical activity. A collaborative and iterative approach with NHS Tayside and other key stakeholders has resulted in a safe, online, clinical protocol that trainees, trainers and patients can have confidence in. The purpose of this article is to share our experience and to open a dialogue to work synergistically with other institutions to contribute towards a UK-wide remote training strategy.

The use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in dental practice.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a clear, odourless liquid indicated for desensitisation of non-carious tooth lesions and molar incisor hypomineralisation. It is also useful for arresting carious lesions in adults and children who are high caries-risk and/or have difficult-to-control, progressing carious lesions, those who are unable to tolerate invasive treatment, elderly populations, and those who are medically compromised or have additional care and support needs. SDF may be used to manage lesions that are too extensive to restore but not associated with pain and/or infection. This can be important particularly where extractions might be contra-indicated for medical or behavioural reasons. This paper summarises the global evidence for the effectiveness and safety of SDF, describes what it is, its mechanisms of action and presents recommendations on how to use it. There are details on indications/contra-indications and risks/benefits to be considered in the use of SDF also discussion of how to approach SDF's side effect of black staining of carious tooth tissue. We give an example of an information sheet (Appendix S1, see online supplementary information) that may be used when discussing SDF with patients, particularly for primary teeth in children, but adaptable for the permanent dentition and for adults.