The Ghost Curriculum: What are we NOT teaching our students?

Abstract

In every curriculum document, carefully scaffolded modules outline the knowledge and skills deemed essential for competent dental practice. Yet, within the margins of these structured learning outcomes, and skirting the oft-mentioned hidden curriculum, lies a parallel curriculum: unwritten, unspoken, and often unexamined. This “Ghost Curriculum” comprises critical topics and competencies that are either superficially addressed or entirely absent, despite their profound impact on the personal and professional journeys
of our dental graduates.