National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) continues to set new benchmarks in interdisciplinary innovation by integrating dentistry, public health, and emerging technologies to elevate community oral health services.
In response to growing demands and evolving healthcare challenges, NYCU’s College of Dentistry has launched the International Digital Dentistry Demonstration Center, blending cutting-edge technologies such as Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with more than four decades of field experience. This initiative strengthens local and global healthcare impact and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 4, 10, 17).
A Legacy of Service: From Local Roots to Global Reach
The transformation builds upon the enduring spirit of the Oral Hygiene Service Team, established in 1979 by students of the National Yang Ming University (which officially merged with National Chiao Tung University in 2021 to form NYCU). What began as outreach in nearby elementary schools has evolved into a wide-reaching volunteer initiative that extends deep into remote communities every winter and summer. Over the past 40 years, the team has delivered thousands of free dental consultations and oral health education sessions across Taiwan.
More than just social responsibility, these initiatives have become essential to student training, offering hands-on clinical experience, fostering compassion, and honing communication skills across diverse populations. Today, community service is a compulsory part of NYCU’s dental curriculum, ensuring every student contributes to society while developing core competencies.
Bridging Disciplines and Borders
This transformation also opens new educational pathways for students, who now participate in developing XR content and AI-based diagnostic systems. They gain early exposure to imaging analysis for caries detection and orthodontic planning—skills critical to the future of dental practice.
More importantly, the initiative fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, involving experts in public health, AI engineering, and educational technology. President Chi-Hung Lin, reflecting on NYCU’s rich legacy of service, noted: “Community service has always been in our DNA. As we merge technology with medicine, we open new opportunities for shared growth and innovation.”
Expanding Global Partnerships
Dean Shou-Yen Kao of the College of Dentistry envisions this transformation extending far beyond Taiwan. With over 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with overseas universities, the school is attracting international students and laying the groundwork for sustained cross-border collaboration in digital dentistry.
Moving forward, NYCU will continue integrating innovative technologies, seeking national-level funding, and partnering with industry to create a sustainable, impactful model for digital oral health education and care.
