Construction and exploration of a training model for oral specialists in the subspecialty of oral mucosal disease

Lidan Shi^1#, Tao Liu^2#, Rui Xiao^3*

¹Xinhua Hospital of Tongzhou District, 386 Jiukeshu East Road, Tongzhou District, Beijing 101121, China

²Department of Stomatology, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China

³Department of Stomatology, the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China

#These authors have made equal contributions.

*Correspondence: Rui Xiao; Email: xiao_rui0809@163.com

Abstract

Oral mucosal disease is an important subspecialty of stomatology with rich connotations and broad coverage. Diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal disease directly affect a patient’s overall oral health assessment and is closely related to the associated diagnosis of systemic diseases. Currently, specialists in oral mucosal disease in China face issues such as a large talent shortage, insufficient training standardization, and an unbalanced competence structure. This study aimed to construct a systematic training model for oral mucosal disease specialists, with the core goal of fostering core competencies. The model progresses in three phases: basic standardized training, subspecialty in-depth training, and research capability enhancement, and relies on four pillars: deepening theoretical education, refining clinical skills, inspiring research reasoning, and cultivating humanistic literacy. This structure forms a closed-loop training system by integrating a “process-oriented + summative + 360-degree” multi-dimensional assessment system. The present article discusses the training content, implementation methods, and assessment criteria of each phase, while presenting potential challenges in implementation (such as balanced faculty allocation and training base construction) and future development directions by combining training with artificial intelligence and precision medicine. The model presented in this article is expected to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidelines to promote the homogeneous, high-level, and sustainable development of the talent team in the field of oral mucosal disease in China.

Keywords: oral mucosal disease, oral specialist training, core competence, phased training, assessment and evaluation, teaching model reform