CRET announces first-ever dental school technology audit

This fall, the Center for Research & Education in Technology (CRET) will publish a report on the state of emerging technologies in dental schools. The 2017 Dental School Technology Audit will be a first-of-its-kind report. Its aim is not to measure the number of products and pieces of equipment in each school; rather, it will be a snapshot of the readiness of U.S. dental schools to accept emerging technologies into their developmental pipelines.

In the dental industry, remarkable advances in health care technology are helping to create better patient experiences and treatment outcomes. However, the rapid pace of technological change has provided a new challenge for dental schools: how to educate students about emerging technologies.

Information for the report is currently being gathered from dental school deans through an online survey. Deans were contacted this summer with an invitation to complete the survey, and responses are now coming in. Measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the survey.

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The president of CRET, Edward Rossomando, DDS, Ph.D., is leading the survey efforts. "Today, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics and other emerging technologies are entering the dental marketplace, again bringing a tsunami of change to the dental profession," Dr. Rossomando says. "If dental schools are to fulfill their obligations to the next generation of dental students, they must be prepared to respond."

"To help future dental leaders, it is important that we work with our partners to outfit dental schools with the latest technology, equipment and materials," says Don Hobbs of Henry Schein Dental, who is serving as CEO and chairman of the board of CRET. "We have been supporting CRET for approximately seven years, serving on its board and helping to provide the tools and resources needed by dental schools so that future professionals are equipped to succeed in the digital era of dentistry."

The report falls under the mission of CRET, which is to transfer knowledge and competency in 21st century technology to dental students and faculty. CRET has worked to open Innovation Centers at two U.S. dental schools, with a third Innovation Center scheduled to open in 2018 at the University of West Virginia.

For more information or to receive the report, contact CRET President Dr. Edward Rossomando at efr360@gmail.com.