Managing the curriculum – for a change

Abstract

This article reports the model used to design a new dental curriculum, the design process used and its underlying rationale. The evidence base for the process is reviewed and discussed. Some suggestions are offered for those engaged in developing new curricula. The main conclusions drawn are that the design process needs to be managed openly and democratically; the alignment model is the most appropriate for designing dental curricula; the process of curriculum design is inextricably linked to organisational development; and the concepts of learning organisations, communities of practice and culture all have their part to play in the process of introducing deep innovations, such as new curricula'.