INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: ADAPTATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS TO GLOBALIZATION AND WARTIME CHALLENGES

Abstract

Abstract. The contemporary system of higher medical education in Ukraine operates under a dual challenge: the necessity of harmonization with European educational standards and the unprecedented adaptation to the realities of a full-scale war. These factors demand a fundamental revision of pedagogical approaches, particularly in teaching clinical disciplines where the practical component is dominant. Pediatric dentistry, as a specialty that combines manual skills, profound theoretical knowledge, and specific communication competencies for working with a psychologically vulnerable patient category, requires innovative and flexible educational models. The article employs methods of theoretical analysis, synthesis, generalization, and systematization of scientific and pedagogical information. The experience of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at TNMU in implementing an interactive learning paradigm was analyzed. The application of methods such as case-based learning, problem-based learning (PBL), «dentist-child-parent» role-playing, and academic debates are examined in detail. Special attention is given to simulation technologies: mastering manual skills on phantom heads, using standardized patients to develop communication skills, and the potential of virtual simulators. The experience of using digital platforms like Microsoft Teams and Moodle for organizing synchronous and asynchronous learning is analyzed. Knowledge assessment methods are represented by «Krok» format test assignments and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It has been established that the integration of innovative pedagogical technologies effectively compensates for the limitations caused by martial law. Simulation-based learning is a priority tool for mastering practical skills under conditions of restricted access to clinical facilities. Interactive methods foster the development of non-linear clinical reasoning and the ability to make evidencebased decisions under uncertainty. The blended learning format, combining online lectures with offline practical sessions, ensures flexibility and continuity of the educational process. The proposed model for organizing the educational process at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry is a viable and adaptive response to contemporary challenges. It ensures the training of highly qualified specialists capable of critical thinking, effective communication, and performance under stressful conditions.