[Application of objective structured clinical examination system in pediatric dental education for 8-year-program and 5-year-program students].

PURPOSE: To explore a more comprehensive and objective method for dental students examination, and improve the quality of pediatric dental education. METHODS: Fifteen 8-year-program students and 30 5-year-program dental students from School of Stomatology, the Fourth Military Medical University were enrolled in this study. Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), traditional diadactic test and questionnaires were carried out in all students. The scores of the two testing methods between students in 2 groups were compared using SPSS 11.5 software package. RESULTS: The average score of OSCE for 8-year-program students was significantly higher than that of 5-year-program students. In contrast, the traditional test score of 8-year-program students was significantly lower than that of 5-year-program students. Most students accepted OSCE and approved the evaluation system combining OSCE with traditional test. CONCLUSIONS: As a comprehensive, objective and effective evaluation system, OSCE is helpful for students to master knowledge and improve clinical ability.