Introduction:
Digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping dentistry, demanding rapid curriculum implementation and educational adaptations. However, dental education struggles with limited interdisciplinary expertise and curriculum constraints. This study explores a novel Hybrid Synergy Learning Approach to address these challenges.

Intervention:
A course was developed integrating self-paced digital learning, interactive discussions, and a student-led micro-conference. Asynchronous learning featured online modules with mini-lectures, curated readings, and discussion boards, alongside self-grading quizzes. Two online modules introduced important Digital Health literacy topics such as secure patient data management, teledentisty, social media engagement and cybersecurity. Synchronous learning culminated in a student-led micro-conference where students brainstormed in groups and presented digital posters on various AI application in dental diagnosis and therapy.
This approach leverages student-led inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration, requiring minimal faculty intervention and optimizing curriculum efficiency. Two cohorts of junior year dental students participated in this intervention that started in semester 1 2024.

Results:
Overall, 236 dental students participated in this intervention. The course received highly positive feedback regarding its organization, with an average Likert scale score of 4.5 (out of 5), indicating strong agreement. Students also found the course to be informative, easy to follow, and well-presented, with an average score of 4.2. Furthermore, the survey data revealed that they effectively grasped digital health and AI fundamentals, demonstrating increased motivation for continued development and understanding of their inevitability in future practice.

Conclusion & future implications:
This hybrid approach sets a new standard for digital health education in dentistry, fostering autonomous learning, critical engagement, and interdisciplinary thinking. It prepares future dentists for the evolving digital healthcare landscape. Future implications include scaling this model to other healthcare disciplines, evaluating long-term impact on clinical practice, and refining the student-led micro-conference for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration.

Keywords: Digital health, curriculum, implementation, hybrid learning.