The design of dental schools is critical to shaping the future of dental education. As Page sought to modernize and improve the educational environment, special attention was paid to the implementation of advanced technology, the creation of flexible and collaborative spaces, and the planning of operational efficiency. These elements improve the learning and teaching process for students and faculty and ensure that the dental school remains at the forefront of the academic field.
Page advances the conversation about the future of design in dental education by collaborating with our client institutions to explore best practices and design strategies to create environments that support students and patients. Our approach to dental education is based on the success of evidence-based design methods pioneered in healthcare settings and incorporates our own and others’ research. The benefit is that classrooms and collaborative spaces help educators equip students with the skills needed to work in healthcare.
Advanced technology is revolutionizing dental education, and dental schools must incorporate these innovations into their designs. Purpose-built clinical skills labs equipped with patient simulators and electronic medical records are at the forefront of these changes, providing students with hands-on experience in a controlled, realistic environment. These spaces allow students to practice procedures and refine their skills, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of their learning.
In addition to using patient simulators to teach basic skills, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) School of Dentistry project includes simulated training tasks located adjacent to its state-of-the-art patient care spaces. The teaching clinic offers a full range of services that students will encounter in their practice, including a digital radiology center, diagnostic clinic, main waiting area, multidisciplinary flex clinics, faculty clinics, and a central pharmacy.
The spaces are designed to be flexible to accommodate future technological advances and scalable to accommodate new equipment as needed. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the school’s facilities remain up-to-date and continue to meet educational needs.
Many new dental education programs organize classes in small, hands-on groups that remain in the teaching clinic as a unit and work together to engage in group problem-based learning. This model is the basis for planning a new project to support the future of dental education at Howard University, currently being developed with Page.
At East Carolina University’s teaching clinics, incorporating telemedicine into the curriculum provides students with innovative ways to observe complex dental procedures and collaborate with peers in remote clinical settings. The school also uses technology to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing students for the technological demands of modern dental practice. As these tools become more sophisticated, dental school design must evolve to seamlessly incorporate these innovations and provide students with the best possible learning environment.
In addition to experiential learning spaces, dental schools are also rethinking their formal teaching methods, requiring strategies that promote flexibility and collaboration. Traditional lecture halls are being transformed into dynamic, multifunctional spaces that support a variety of teaching methods and styles.
Spaces designed to be flexible can be easily adapted to accommodate a variety of purposes, from small group discussions to large lectures or hands-on workshops. Health education organizations are finding that interdisciplinary education is easier to achieve in these large, flexible spaces that support both synchronous and asynchronous activities.
In addition to classrooms for NYU’s nursing, dental, and bioengineering departments, flexible, informal learning spaces are integrated throughout the building, providing opportunities for students in a variety of health professions to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and learn from one another. These open-plan spaces feature movable furniture and integrated technology that allow for seamless transitions between learning modes and foster a collaborative environment. These spaces are not only beneficial for students, but also for faculty, who can use more interactive and innovative teaching methods.
This interdisciplinary approach promotes a holistic understanding of patient care, encouraging future dentists to collaborate effectively with other health care professionals. Dental schools can better prepare students to collaborate in today’s healthcare environment by designing spaces that encourage such interaction.
An effective dental school can optimize educational and clinical functions. Dental schools must balance the needs of patients and students by providing high-quality care and a positive learning environment. One effective strategy is to separate “onstage” and “backstage” spaces, as was done at the University of Texas School of Dentistry. This approach effectively combines a welcoming environment for patients, effective clinical support, and a lively, interactive (and sometimes noisy) student environment.
Another aspect of operational efficiency is the strategic organization of classroom and clinical spaces to optimize workflow and reduce unnecessary travel. UT Health classrooms, labs, and clinics are located close to each other, reducing travel time and maximizing student learning and clinical opportunities. Thoughtful layouts increase productivity and enhance the overall educational experience for students and faculty.
East Carolina University and the University of Texas Health Science Schools conducted surveys of faculty, staff, and students after move-in to identify common themes that could inform future institutional designs. The study found the following key findings:
Incorporating advanced technology, encouraging flexibility and collaboration, and ensuring operational efficiency are key principles when designing the dental school of the future. These elements enhance the educational experience for students and faculty and position the dental school at the forefront of experiential learning in education. By observing successful implementations such as the University of Texas School of Dentistry, we see how thoughtful design can create dynamic and adaptable spaces that meet the changing needs of dental education. Dental schools must be designed to not only meet current standards, but also anticipate future needs. Through careful design-based planning, Page has created a dental school that truly prepares students for the future of dentistry, ensuring they are equipped to provide the highest level of care in an ever-changing healthcare environment.
John Smith, Managing Director, UCLA Principal. Previously, John was the lead designer at the University of Texas School of Dentistry and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is passionate about using design to inspire and connect people. As the principal designer at Page, he works with clients, engineers, and builders to create projects that reflect the unique characteristics of their climate, culture, and environment. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Houston and is a practicing architect, certified by the American Institute of Architects, LEED, and WELL AP.
Jennifer Amster, Director of Academic Planning, Raleigh University President Jennifer has led projects at ECU’s School of Dentistry and Community Services Learning Center, the Oral Health Pavilion expansion at Rutgers School of Dentistry, and the Howard University School of Dentistry replacement project. With a focus on the impact of buildings on their occupants, she specializes in academic programs in health care, with an emphasis on health care and higher education projects. Jennifer holds a Master of Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. She is a practicing architect, certified by the American Institute of Architects and LEED.
Page’s history dates back to 1898. The company provides architecture, interior design, planning, consulting, and engineering services throughout the United States and around the world. The company’s diverse international portfolio spans the academic, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and civil/public/cultural sectors, as well as government, healthcare, hospitality, mission-critical, multifamily, office, retail/mixed-use, science and technology, and manufacturing projects. Page Southerland Page, Inc. has multiple offices in every region of the United States and abroad, employing 1,300 people.
For more information about the company, visit pagethink.com. Follow the page on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Post time: Mar-28-2025