ADEA eLearn
Evidence-Based Dentistry and Gen Z: Rethinking Our Teaching Approaches
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As Gen Z learners enter dental education, their evolving expectations are prompting educators to rethink traditional approaches to teaching and learning, including ensuring that evidence-based dentistry (EBD) resonates. This timely webinar explores how dental faculty can strengthen the relevance and impact of EBD by aligning instruction with Gen Z’s preference for practical, engaging and clinically connected learning experiences.
Join us to examine key characteristics of today’s learners and review pedagogical approaches that support integration of evidence into clinical applications. The webinar also highlights the evolving influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on EBD education and its emerging role in dental curricula.
Participants will gain practical strategies for designing authentic, engaging and clinically relevant EBD learning experiences that help students confidently integrate evidence into patient care.
This webinar is presented by the ADEA Section on Evidence-Based Dentistry. Learn more about joining this Section, as well as ADEA's other Sections and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) online.
Learning Objectives
- Identify key Gen Z learner characteristics that influence their engagement with Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD).
- Evaluate interactive and experiential teaching strategies for strengthening EBD teaching and learning.
- Examine how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping EBD education and its emerging role within dental curricula.
Original Release Date: August 19, 2026
Expiration Date: August 19, 2029
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Teaching Method: Lecture
Disclaimer
The purpose of this program is to educate and inform. Information provided in this program is not a substitute for professional care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests at this presentation express their own experience, opinions and conclusions, which do not necessarily reflect those of their employer or any organization or group with whom they may be affiliated. Expressed viewpoints and opinions by speaker(s), presenter(s), guest(s) and/or facilitator(s) are also not those of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), ADEA staff or the ADEA Board of Directors. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an endorsement by ADEA.
CE Information
ADEA is an ADA CERP recognized provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a continuing education (CE) provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ada.org.
ADEA designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credit.
CE credit is awarded for overall participation in the ADEA eLearn webinar, "Evidence-Based Dentistry and Gen Z: Rethinking Our Teaching Approaches."
All speakers agree they do not have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Salma Elwazeer, B.D.S., M.D.S., M.P.H., FRSPH, FICD, FACD
Assistant Professor and Director of Public Health Education and Interprofessional Education (IPE)
Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso
Dr. Salma Elwazeer, B.D.S., M.D.S., M.P.H., FRSPH, FICD, FACD, is an associate professor and Director of Public Health Education and Interprofessional Education (IPE) at Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, with a secondary Faculty appointment at Foster School of Medicine. She earned her dental degree from Ain-Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, completed a pediatric dentistry residency and master’s degree, earned her MPH at Purdue University, and completed a Dental Public Health residency at UT Health San Antonio. At Texas Tech, Dr. Elwazeer directs the Community Health Certificate Curriculum, a required four-year program that integrates public health, IPE, and Spanish-language into dental education. Her scholarly record includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications, presentations, seminars, and workshops. Her efforts have been recognized at the institutional, state, and national levels with various awards, including the Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest faculty honor in the Texas Tech University System, and the ADA Foundation Whiston Leadership Award. Dr. Elwazeer is a fellow of the 2026-2027 ADEA Leadership Institute. She also serves as a chair of the ADEA’s section on Community, Preventive, and Public Health Dentistry (CPPHD), and holds leadership roles at AAPHD and APHA. Dr. Elwazeer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, the International College of Dentists, and the American College of Dentists.
Speaker agrees they do not have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Jimmy Gonzalez-Vicker, M.S.L.I.S. (Moderator)
Assistant Professor, Dentistry & Student Success Librarian
University of Illinois Chicago - Library of the Health Sciences
Jimmy has served as the UIC Dentistry Librarian since February of 2024 and is also the Chair for the ADEA Section on EBD. Jimmy leads research consultations and lectures for students, clinicians, researchers and faculty members at all levels for the UIC College of Dentistry. One of Jimmy’s main goals is to ensure that health sciences community members are aware of their information resources, especially as it makes EBD knowledge more accessible for quality decision-making. In addition to his librarianship, Jimmy’s research focuses on the cross-section of makerspaces and academic health sciences libraries.
Speaker agrees they do not have any financial relationships with commercial entities that may be relevant to their presentation.
Technological Assistance
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Content Questions
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Membership Assistance
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