Application of digital transformation to face the challenge of paradigm shift in dentistry and medicine

Over the past several years, the College of Dentistry at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) has emerged as a key platform for international academic exchange in digital dentistry. By welcoming dental professionals and scholars from diverse regions to Taiwan for advanced training, the College has contributed meaningfully to global capacity building in dental education. Feedback from past participants consistently indicates that the programs have delivered tangible academic and clinical benefits, many of which have been disseminated and implemented in their home countries, amplifying Taiwan’s international academic influence.

In response to Taiwan’s continued promotion of the New Southbound Policy, the College of Dentistry at NYCU will host a comprehensive series of digital dentistry courses from October 29 to November 2. Under the leadership of Distinguished Professor Ming-Lun Hsu, the program will bring together 30 scholars and dental experts from seven countries—Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Cambodia. Participants represent 12 dental schools, including six deans, highlighting the high-level institutional engagement and strategic depth of this initiative. During the program, the College will also formalize collaboration by signing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with five dental schools, further institutionalizing academic partnerships across the region.

Taiwan’s oral healthcare system and dental research are widely recognized throughout the Asia-Pacific for their technological sophistication, clinical excellence, and integrated healthcare services. As digital transformation reshapes modern medicine, the growing applications of artificial intelligence, smart healthcare systems, and digital medical technologies present both challenges and opportunities for dental education worldwide. By proactively addressing these trends, NYCU’s College of Dentistry positions itself as a regional hub for innovation-driven dental training and policy-aligned academic diplomacy.

The curriculum of this digital dentistry program focuses on cutting-edge technologies, including 3D printing, intelligent diagnostic systems, and digital treatment planning. Beyond technical instruction, the program emphasizes dialogue, knowledge co-creation, and mutual learning. Through sustained academic interaction, the College seeks to cultivate long-term partnerships that transcend individual courses, fostering trust-based cooperation, faculty development, and joint research initiatives among participating institutions.

The College of Dentistry at NYCU plays a pivotal role in advancing dental education diplomacy. Distinguished Professor Ming-Lun Hsu previously served as President of the Southeast Asia Association for Dental Education (SEAADE) and founded the Asia-Pacific Association for Dental Education in 2018, serving as its inaugural president. His long-standing commitment to education-centered collaboration reflects Taiwan’s broader soft-power strategy—leveraging high-quality education, professional training, and bilateral talent cultivation to deepen engagement with Southeast Asian partners.

As the global community enters the post-pandemic era, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy continues to serve as a cornerstone of its regional engagement strategy. Through education-led healthcare initiatives, the College of Dentistry at NYCU aims to strengthen institutional ties, enhance human capital development, and reinforce Taiwan’s role as a trusted partner in international healthcare and academic cooperation. These efforts not only elevate Taiwan’s global visibility, but also contribute to sustainable, people-centered diplomacy across the Asia-Pacific region.