Present and future challenges for e-learning in dentistry

The aim of this study was to explore the potential and challenges for e-learning in dental education using a case-study approach. The University of Birmingham, School of dentistry, e-learning platform “e-course”, was assessed at four stages. The attitudes of third year dental students towards an online orthodontic e-course were assessed to explore students’ learning needs using a five Likert-scale questionnaire. The different tools and components on the e-course were explored to assess its technical and instructional efficiency using descriptive analysis. The Prosthetic discussion archive was analysed for its efficiency to support a higher-level of teaching and learning using content analysis. Dental students and academic teachers were interviewed using one-to-one interviews and focus groups. Their attitudes towards e-learning in dentistry were analysed for emerging themes in three main categories; technological, pedagogical, and curriculum design. E-learning has shown great potential in supporting change to dental education. There are differences between students and teachers. Students are enthusiastic in its use, whilst teachers have many concerns on its implementation related to work load and use of information. E-learning has a great potential in supporting curriculum reform in dental education, but is not fully utilised. Institutional strategies and support together with strong leaderships is needed when implementing e-learning into a dental school