Application of Problem-Based Learning to Clinical Dental Education

Problem-based learning provides a mechanism for learning in a manner that most closely simulates the future practice environment. PBL was initiated in medical education in the 1960s, and two-thirds of U.S. medical schools use PBL in their programs. The University of Southern California School of Dentistry has moved to the PBL model to give its dental students the knowledge base required to meet accreditation standards and to prepare them to be beginning general practitioners. This article explains how USC uses PBL in its dental curriculum.