Self‐perceived preparedness for dental practice amongst graduates of The University of Hong Kong’s integrated PBL dental curriculum

Abstract

Objectives: To determine how prepared for dental practice graduates from the integrated problem-based learning (PBL) dental undergraduate curriculum at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) perceive themselves to be and to identify factors associated with self-perceived preparedness. Materials and methods:A postal questionnaire was sent to five cohorts of dentists who had graduated from HKU's integrated PBL curriculum between 2004 and 2008. Using a 4-point Likert scale, the questionnaire assessed the self-perceived level of preparedness in 59 competencies grouped in nine domains. Responses were dichotomised into 'poorly prepared' and 'well prepared'.Results: The response rate was 66% (159/241). The mean proportion (± standard deviation) of respondents indicating well-preparedness was 72.0 ± 15.1% overall, and for each domain was as follows: general patient management, 93.1 ± 12.1%; practice management, 81.0 ± 22.2%; periodontology and dental public health, 73.5 ± 19.3%; conservative dentistry, 92.5 ± 13.1%; oral rehabilitation, 62.8 ± 24.0%; orthodontics, 23.0 ± 32.9%; managing children and special-needs patients, 64.8 ± 28.9%; oral and maxillofacial surgery, 52.2 ± 25.2%; and drug and emergency management, 84.7 ± 22.6%. The odds of self-perceived well-preparedness were increased for cohorts graduating in 2004 and 2005 and graduates working in a non-solo dental practice.

The undergraduate preparation of dentists: Confidence levels of final year dental students at the School of Dentistry in Cardiff

“…This may confirm the work of Stewart et al 16 on medical house officers suggesting increased experience would increase confidence. Ninety nine percent (n=157) of participants in the study by Yiu et al 21 Furthermore Yiu et al 21 also report that 99% (n=157) had felt prepared in placing crowns yet 28% (n=44) felt poorly prepared for multi-rooted endodontics, as is reflected in the present results (Crowns: 3.86, RCT molar: 3.25). Many other studies indicate that dental graduates in the UK have the lowest confidence in carrying out molar endodontics.…”

Self‐perceived work preparedness of the graduating dental students

“…The student‐perceived knowledge on dental practice management was limited with regard to the cost of material, cost of indemnity insurance and cost of running a practice. This can be related to limited exposure of the students to dental practice management training . The familiarity with the mandatory requirement for obtaining credit points for maintaining registration with AHPRA was low (44.4%) .…”

“…(6) Hendrickson (2012) suggested that a perfect intersection for learners in the development of learning should be a student, teacher and environment with proficient educational techniques based on evidenced modalities to facilitate the end goal as the comprehensive patient treatment and optimal professional satisfaction and achievement. (7) The self-directed learning process of the individual student is initiated in response to the resources provided in a progressive environment and should adapt to the ability/experience of the student. (8) Innovative strategies to cultivate and support student learning have highlighted that educational programmes and schools should facilitate an environment that can lead to student self-directed learning and encourage professional development and patient welfare.…”

Undergraduate students’ experience and self-assessed confidence in prosthetic dentistry

“…18,20 Accurate self-assessment is an important attribute to develop in dental students. 20 There are several studies which investigated the dental students' perceptions of their dental education, 7,9,11,13 self-perceived preparedness for general dental practice, 8,14,15 and students' evaluation of their prosthodontic curriculum. 18 The results of this study report the final year dental students' experience and self-reported confidence when performing prosthetic procedures at Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry.…”