Dental education can be improved by providing more business and clinical training, one dentist told Becker's.
Jordan Cooper, DDS, of Cooper Family Dentistry in Jacksonville, Ark., recently spoke with Becker's about how the current dental school model can be updated to better prepare students for the industry.
Editor's note: This response was lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What is one trend you would like to see end in dentistry?
Dr. Jordan Cooper: In a recent discussion over lunch, my associates and I were reminiscing on dental school and we all agreed that the current dental school model is outdated, resulting in negative experiences for many dental students. To prepare future dentists for real-world practice and business management, I would propose a shift toward a more contemporary approach, akin to the medical model, which involves hands-on clinical training in real-life settings and also provides some actual meaningful education in business management. This transition would better equip dentists to address the evolving healthcare landscape and provide high-quality care to patients while allowing dental students to have a decent educational experience.