While providing an excellent education is a given at any institution of higher learning, the notion of enhancing the student experience—one of the three main themes in UBC Dentistry's strategic plan—is, actually a fairly new concept. If learning is approached from the student's perspective, not only will the education be excellent, but the entire experience of dental school, from application to graduation, will support and reinforce the learning. UBC Dentistry has focused on four main areas designed to "enhance the student experience".
Top Notch Educational Facilities
The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre
The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre at the University of British Columbia uses state-of-the-art technology and an innovative architectural design to create a sophisticated, efficient space for learning, community service and research.
Committed to Students
A Peer-Facilitated PBL Pilot and PBL in the Admissions Process
A pilot project taking tutors out of the facilitative role makes students fully responsible for their own learning. Results look promising. And, an orientation to problem-based learning (PBL) in Dentistry's two day Admissions Open House prepares successful applicants.
Excellent Teachers
Award Winning Faculty and Students
UBC Dentistry's faculty, students and alumni are no strangers to the podium. Local, national and international organizations have regularly recognized their varied achievements in education, research and community service.
Read more about Dentistry's award winners:
Innovative Curriculum
Small Groups and Inquiry Changed My Approach to Teaching and Learning
Professor and Dean of Dentistry, Dr. Charles Shuler, asks: "So what does a new faculty member do to start teaching an entire course at a new university while also balancing the requirements of building a program of research?" Read and watch what he has to say about a small-group, inquiry-based pedagogy and its impact on student learning.
Top Notch Educational Facilities. The introduction of our amazing oral health centre, the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre, as the hub of patient care and clinical learning raised the quality of our facilities to match that of our students, faculty, staff and programs. Add to that top quality small-group learning, lecture and lab facilities shared with our partners in Medicine, our new Dentistry Department in the Diamond Centre of Vancouver General Hospital, and our soon-to-be-completed computer learning centre, adjacent seminar rooms and flexible study space in the venerable John B Macdonald building, and we've created a learning environment that reflects the Faculty's commitment to offer the best experience possible for our students.
Committed Student Services. UBC was one of the first dental schools in Canada to offer a student services office in the Faculty, dedicated to easing the transition into, through and out of the DMD program. From our Admissions Open House that allows applicants to make an informed decision about coming to UBC, to counselling referrals, to tax clinics and time management seminars, to information about practice opportunities, Student Services provides a constant source of support in a challenging academic environment. As two examples, students may participate in our mentorship program which, in partnership with the BC Dental Association, matches students with experienced dentists, or our Summer Student Practitioner Program which, in cooperation with the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, allows DMD students to experience private practice in the summer between third- and fourth-years under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Excellent Teachers. As a reflection of the increased recognition of the importance of good teaching nationally in dental education, the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry began co-sponsoring a national award for teaching excellence in dentistry in 2001. In the eight years since the award was inaugurated, it has been given to a UBC faculty member five times. Also, since 2001, the Faculty has created over 20 slots for dentists who've proven themselves as good teachers to take on full-time roles in all four years of the DMD program. Recognizing that many professors have focused on achieving their own high level of education, without necessarily learning the art and science of great teaching, UBC began offering a certificate program in teaching and learning in higher education for university professors, and Dentistry has among the highest per capita participation on the UBC campus, with 16 Dentistry faculty members having completed the program, as well as other Dentistry faculty who have completed master's degrees in education. As further evidence of the importance of the scholarship of teaching and learning in the Faculty, we are in the process of appointing an educational specialist to lead collaborative educational research and ongoing faculty development of teaching skills.
Innovative Curriculum. UBC is one of only a handful of dental schools in North America to use problem-based learning (PBL) as its primary pedagogy. The focus on studentcentred, small-group learning addresses the learning of foundational knowledge in a clinical context, while introducing students to equally important skills in the areas of communication, self-directed learning, problem-solving and critical analysis. In a recent study1, dental graduates of a PBL program were rated equal to graduates of traditional dental program grads in terms of clinical skills and better in terms of patient communication, critical thinking, independent learning, small group performance and teamwork skills. Our Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program was a first in Canada, offering online degree courses to dental hygienists around the world. Our new campusbased option offers the first competency-based dental hygiene degree program in Canada, with educational partnerships between dental and dental hygiene students. Innovations continue with the development of electives for fourth-year dental students, including opportunities to address access to care issues at home and abroad.
The development of a student-centered educational program based on excellence in facilities, support services, teachers and curriculum, is a process, not a product, and UBC prides itself on committing the resources necessary to continue enhancing the student experience.
THE AUTHOR
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Dr. Joanne Walton is associate dean, Academic and Student Affairs and professor of prosthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia. Email: jnwalton@interchange.ubc.ca |
References
- Thammasitboon K, Sukotjo C, Howell H, and Karimbux N, Problem-Based Learning at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Self-Assessment of Performance in Postdoctoral Training. J Dent Educ 2007; 71:1080-1089.
Sample 2
While providing an excellent education is a given at any institution of higher learning, the notion of enhancing the student experience—one of the three main themes in UBC Dentistry's strategic plan—is, actually a fairly new concept. If learning is approached from the student's perspective, not only will the education be excellent, but the entire experience of dental school, from application to graduation, will support and reinforce the learning. UBC Dentistry has focused on four main areas designed to "enhance the student experience".
Top Notch Educational Facilities. The introduction of our amazing oral health centre, the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre, as the hub of patient care and clinical learning raised the quality of our facilities to match that of our students, faculty, staff and programs. Add to that top quality small-group learning, lecture and lab facilities shared with our partners in Medicine, our new Dentistry Department in the Diamond Centre of Vancouver General Hospital, and our soon-to-be-completed computer learning centre, adjacent seminar rooms and flexible study space in the venerable John B Macdonald building, and we've created a learning environment that reflects the Faculty's commitment to offer the best experience possible for our students.
Committed Student Services. UBC was one of the first dental schools in Canada to offer a student services office in the Faculty, dedicated to easing the transition into, through and out of the DMD program. From our Admissions Open House that allows applicants to make an informed decision about coming to UBC, to counselling referrals, to tax clinics and time management seminars, to information about practice opportunities, Student Services provides a constant source of support in a challenging academic environment. As two examples, students may participate in our mentorship program which, in partnership with the BC Dental Association, matches students with experienced dentists, or our Summer Student Practitioner Program which, in cooperation with the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, allows DMD students to experience private practice in the summer between third- and fourth-years under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Excellent Teachers. As a reflection of the increased recognition of the importance of good teaching nationally in dental education, the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry began co-sponsoring a national award for teaching excellence in dentistry in 2001. In the eight years since the award was inaugurated, it has been given to a UBC faculty member five times. Also, since 2001, the Faculty has created over 20 slots for dentists who've proven themselves as good teachers to take on full-time roles in all four years of the DMD program. Recognizing that many professors have focused on achieving their own high level of education, without necessarily learning the art and science of great teaching, UBC began offering a certificate program in teaching and learning in higher education for university professors, and Dentistry has among the highest per capita participation on the UBC campus, with 16 Dentistry faculty members having completed the program, as well as other Dentistry faculty who have completed master's degrees in education. As further evidence of the importance of the scholarship of teaching and learning in the Faculty, we are in the process of appointing an educational specialist to lead collaborative educational research and ongoing faculty development of teaching skills.
Innovative Curriculum. UBC is one of only a handful of dental schools in North America to use problem-based learning (PBL) as its primary pedagogy. The focus on studentcentred, small-group learning addresses the learning of foundational knowledge in a clinical context, while introducing students to equally important skills in the areas of communication, self-directed learning, problem-solving and critical analysis. In a recent study1, dental graduates of a PBL program were rated equal to graduates of traditional dental program grads in terms of clinical skills and better in terms of patient communication, critical thinking, independent learning, small group performance and teamwork skills. Our Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program was a first in Canada, offering online degree courses to dental hygienists around the world. Our new campusbased option offers the first competency-based dental hygiene degree program in Canada, with educational partnerships between dental and dental hygiene students. Innovations continue with the development of electives for fourth-year dental students, including opportunities to address access to care issues at home and abroad.
The development of a student-centered educational program based on excellence in facilities, support services, teachers and curriculum, is a process, not a product, and UBC prides itself on committing the resources necessary to continue enhancing the student experience.
THE AUTHOR
|
|
Dr. Joanne Walton is associate dean, Academic and Student Affairs and professor of prosthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia. Email: jnwalton@interchange.ubc.ca |
References
- Thammasitboon K, Sukotjo C, Howell H, and Karimbux N, Problem-Based Learning at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Self-Assessment of Performance in Postdoctoral Training. J Dent Educ 2007; 71:1080-1089.
Student Experience Gallery
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Sample 3
While providing an excellent education is a given at any institution of higher learning, the notion of enhancing the student experience—one of the three main themes in UBC Dentistry's strategic plan—is, actually a fairly new concept. If learning is approached from the student's perspective, not only will the education be excellent, but the entire experience of dental school, from application to graduation, will support and reinforce the learning. UBC Dentistry has focused on four main areas designed to "enhance the student experience".
Top Notch Educational Facilities. The introduction of our amazing oral health centre, the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre, as the hub of patient care and clinical learning raised the quality of our facilities to match that of our students, faculty, staff and programs. Add to that top quality small-group learning, lecture and lab facilities shared with our partners in Medicine, our new Dentistry Department in the Diamond Centre of Vancouver General Hospital, and our soon-to-be-completed computer learning centre, adjacent seminar rooms and flexible study space in the venerable John B Macdonald building, and we've created a learning environment that reflects the Faculty's commitment to offer the best experience possible for our students.
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Top Notch
Educational Facilities |
Committed
to Students |
Excellent
Teachers |
Innovative
Curriculum |
Top Notch Educational FacilitiesThe Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre  The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre at the University of British Columbia uses state-of-the-art technology and an innovative architectural design to create a sophisticated, efficient space for learning, community service and research. |
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Committed Student Services. UBC was one of the first dental schools in Canada to offer a student services office in the Faculty, dedicated to easing the transition into, through and out of the DMD program. From our Admissions Open House that allows applicants to make an informed decision about coming to UBC, to counselling referrals, to tax clinics and time management seminars, to information about practice opportunities, Student Services provides a constant source of support in a challenging academic environment. As two examples, students may participate in our mentorship program which, in partnership with the BC Dental Association, matches students with experienced dentists, or our Summer Student Practitioner Program which, in cooperation with the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, allows DMD students to experience private practice in the summer between third- and fourth-years under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Excellent Teachers. As a reflection of the increased recognition of the importance of good teaching nationally in dental education, the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry began co-sponsoring a national award for teaching excellence in dentistry in 2001. In the eight years since the award was inaugurated, it has been given to a UBC faculty member five times. Also, since 2001, the Faculty has created over 20 slots for dentists who've proven themselves as good teachers to take on full-time roles in all four years of the DMD program. Recognizing that many professors have focused on achieving their own high level of education, without necessarily learning the art and science of great teaching, UBC began offering a certificate program in teaching and learning in higher education for university professors, and Dentistry has among the highest per capita participation on the UBC campus, with 16 Dentistry faculty members having completed the program, as well as other Dentistry faculty who have completed master's degrees in education. As further evidence of the importance of the scholarship of teaching and learning in the Faculty, we are in the process of appointing an educational specialist to lead collaborative educational research and ongoing faculty development of teaching skills.
Innovative Curriculum. UBC is one of only a handful of dental schools in North America to use problem-based learning (PBL) as its primary pedagogy. The focus on studentcentred, small-group learning addresses the learning of foundational knowledge in a clinical context, while introducing students to equally important skills in the areas of communication, self-directed learning, problem-solving and critical analysis. In a recent study1, dental graduates of a PBL program were rated equal to graduates of traditional dental program grads in terms of clinical skills and better in terms of patient communication, critical thinking, independent learning, small group performance and teamwork skills. Our Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program was a first in Canada, offering online degree courses to dental hygienists around the world. Our new campusbased option offers the first competency-based dental hygiene degree program in Canada, with educational partnerships between dental and dental hygiene students. Innovations continue with the development of electives for fourth-year dental students, including opportunities to address access to care issues at home and abroad.
The development of a student-centered educational program based on excellence in facilities, support services, teachers and curriculum, is a process, not a product, and UBC prides itself on committing the resources necessary to continue enhancing the student experience.
THE AUTHOR
|
|
Dr. Joanne Walton is associate dean, Academic and Student Affairs and professor of prosthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia. Email: jnwalton@interchange.ubc.ca |
References
- Thammasitboon K, Sukotjo C, Howell H, and Karimbux N, Problem-Based Learning at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Self-Assessment of Performance in Postdoctoral Training. J Dent Educ 2007; 71:1080-1089.