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The article discusses problem-based learning (PBL), which is the learning that results from the process of working toward the understanding of a problem that is used by dental educators in a variety of formats in the U.S. It explores the steps of problem-based learning and the role of the faculty in PBL. It mentions that the learning environment in PBL promotes student-directed activities.

Purpose/objectives: Critical thinking and evidence-based dentistry are skills that dental students are required to demonstrate, but monitoring and quantifying progress can be challenging. This study is investigating whether the HEIghten critical thinking assessment (HCTA) could be used as a potential tool, both for use prior to admitting students, and to monitor whether the students' skills improve over their time at dental school., Methods: Freshman dental students (n = 92) were given the HCTA during their first semester of dental school. Statistical analyses were then performed to examine the association of Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores (overall, perceptual ability, and total science) and Grade Point Average (GPA) (overall and science) on critical thinking scores (total, analytic, and synthetic)., Results: There was a significant positive association between GPA, DAT scores and critical thinking scores., Conclusions: Our results indicate that the HCTA may be a useful tool to enable monitoring of students analytical and synthetic skills throughout their time at dental school., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Dental Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Dental Education Association.)