Integrated undergraduate dental curriculum.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop a blueprint for producing an integrated undergraduate curriculum for dental schools in the region. METHODS: The study framework was designed at Islamic International Dental College- Riphah International University, Islamabad during May 2016-January 2017. Integrated curriculum was developed by using themes described as modules, such as organs, science of oral diagnosis, aesthetics and dental rehabilitation. Contents or topics from different disciplines having similar focussed learning outcomes were united in one particular module. Horizontal and vertical homogenisations of various modules were achieved by displaying them in a specific way on Bloom's ladder . RESULTS: All modules were free of boundaries of traditional subjects. For example, dental emergency was a theme (module) which carried assorted contents associated with dental emergency from endodontic, oral surgery, prosthetic disciplines etc. CONCLUSIONS: The framework provided an outline and pattern to develop integrated undergraduate curriculum for dental schools.