In an era where technology is transforming healthcare, digital dentistry is no longer a future aspiration—it’s the new clinical standard. From 3D printing to intraoral scanning and digital treatment planning, the tools and techniques of modern dental practice are rapidly evolving. UBC Dentistry is leading the charge in training the next generation of oral healthcare professionals to be equipped with the skills they require to work in a digital world.
“We are definitely a top school in Canada when it comes to digital dentistry,” says Assistant Professor Mohamed Gebril, MSc Dip Prosthodontics 2019. “We have well-equipped facilities such as digital and simulation laboratories, and our graduate programs in particular have a strong focus on using various technologies for both clinical practice and research. We are also implementing it into our undergraduate programs, and teach continuing dental education courses to help working professionals stay up to date.”
The term “digital dentistry” encompasses a wide range of technologies and workflows, including printers, scanners, design software and materials. Although these digital tools are constantly advancing, once students are trained, they can adapt their knowledge to newer models. Dr. Gebril comparesit to driving a car: An SUV might have a slightly different interface than a sedan, so it takes time to get comfortable, but the skillset to drive is already there.
Having the tools and knowing how to use them is one part of the equation. The other part is prioritizing faculty development by ensuring educators are trained, aligned and ready to lead. To do this, UBC Dentistry has established a digital dentistry working group dedicated to staying up to date on the latest technology and keeping the community informed. The Faculty also has many corporate partners who generously provide their expertise and gifts-in-kind to support student learning.
“We’re lucky to have leadership that really pushes this vision of integrating digital technology into our education curriculum and supporting research in this area,” says Dr. Gebril.
In September, Dr. Gebril hosted a national workshop to bring Canadian dental schools together to address a pressing question: How do we standardize digital dentistry education in a landscape where access, tools and expertise vary widely? And how do we balance rapid technology advancements with sustainability and cost, as the latest innovations often come with a high price tag?
“We created this workshop as a platform for Canadian universities to share where they stand in terms of digital dentistry,” says Dr. Gebril. “Every school is doing something different and that was fine a decade ago, but now these technologies are becoming the norm, and we need to move toward a common baseline. The intent was to open the conversation to get a better understanding of where each school is at and what we can learn from each other.”
The workshop was a success, with more than 40 attendees. A Canadian Digital Dentistry Working Group was established, which Dr. Gebril will lead, to help unify dental schools across the country.
A Vision for the Future
At the heart of this effort are clear goals: Enhancing training so students graduate as capable and adaptable dental professionals and improving patient care. For example, 3D printing can produce a set of dentures in just four hours. The same clinical skills apply, just different materials, faster turnaround and higher precision. This also makes dental care more accessible for patients who live in rural or remote communities and travel long distances to see a dentist.
“Everything we do ultimately comes back to providing better dental care,” says Dr. Gebril. “Digital dentistry isn’t about taking shortcuts or replacing clinical judgment; it’s about making our work more predictable, more efficient and more accurate. It’s like how X-rays revolutionized diagnosis. They didn’t replace doctors, they just supported better decisions.”