A scoping review of online educational resources for Oral Surgery specialty training
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction Online educational resources are increasingly used in healthcare education, however, the extent to which these resources support Oral Surgery Specialty Training (OS ST) in the United Kingdom is unclear. This scoping review explores the current use of online educational resources relevant to OS ST, examines their accessibility and pedagogical approaches, identifies gaps in provision and describes the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM) in OS education. Methods This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported following the PRISMA-ScR guidance. Searches were undertaken across several databases, focussing on studies published from 2010 onwards, supplemented by hand-searching of relevant specialist journals. Two reviewers independently screened records against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was synthesised descriptively and presented in relation to the review questions. Results A total of 1744 records were identified, with 47 studies included in the review. Publications increased over time, with 45% published in the last two years ( n = 21). Educational resources included e-learning modules (38%), videos (21%), webinars (11%), virtual patient systems, social media, gamification and AI-based tools. Resources largely targeted undergraduate students and Oral and Maxillofacial trainees, with limited resources aligned to the UK OS ST curriculum specifically. Conclusion Although online educational resources continue to grow within the wider maxillofacial context, provision specifically aligned to UK OS ST remains limited. Most resources address foundational topics (such as exodontia and anatomy), with notable gaps in management of complications, non-technical skills, sedation and complex decision-making. This review highlights opportunities to develop structured, accessible and validated national resources to support OS training, development and preparation for OS specialist examinations.
Source: BMC Medical Education
Institution: University of Sheffield
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W7225754395
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