Cross-sectional study of attitudes toward online continuing dental education in Libya during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many educational institutions switched to e-learning educational platforms. This approach was essential but raised challenges, particularly in training practitioners for medical emergencies. This approach not only led to global challenges and a need for rapid adaptation, but also raised inequities across countries, with some facing far more technical challenges than others. In Libya, low investment in education technology and unpredictable internet connectivity limited its integration into schools and universities even before the pandemic. The current study reports feedback from an online continuing dental education (CDE) course for dental practitioners that was developed emergently during the pandemic and aimed to address the challenges posed by Libya's internet environment. Participants were recruited through social media and received an 8-hour online CDE course consisting of three modules. Participants were invited to complete a pre-course demographic/informational survey on a Google form. After passing all modules, students were prompted to complete a post-course survey consisting of 23, five-point Likert scale questions. Respondents included 43 females (74.1%) and 15 males (25.9%). For ~50% of the cohort (n = 32), this was their first online clinical course. 87.9% of post-course participants rated the course as a positive learning experience, while 90.9% agreed their learning outcomes had been achieved. Most participants (97%) agreed the course instructor explained all concepts clearly. In total, 81.8% agreed that the technology effectively supported their learning. Most agreed that a clear demarcation between each course module existed and that the language and depth of the material were adequate. Some students reported technical difficulties, and 33.3% saw repetitions in the modules. However, all post-course respondents said they would recommend the online course to colleagues. Libyan dental practitioners showed high satisfaction levels towards the e-learning process, course content, instructors' attitudes, and overall e-learning experience despite the inherent e-learning challenges posed in this country.

La evaluación en el posgrado mediante la educación a distancia durante la COVID-19 / Postgraduate evaluation through distance learning during COVID-19

Fundamento: La implementación de la educación a distancia en el posgrado durante la COVID-19 constituye una alternativa del sistema de educación superior cubana. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de la evaluación en el posgrado, mediante la modalidad de educación a distancia durante el tercer rebrote de la pandemia de COVID-19. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal entre junio y julio de 2021, en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Se consideraron como unidades de análisis: unidades didácticas, estudiantes (residentes), la población estuvo constituida por los 146 residentes que cursaban el 1.er año de la especialidad, se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria (n= 96). Se estudiaron las variables resultados de las evaluaciones de cada unidad didáctica y general del módulo (excelente, bien, regular y mal), grado de dificultad (muy difícil, difícil y sin dificultad) y nivel de satisfacción (satisfecho, medianamente satisfecho e insatisfecho). Como instrumento de medición se empleó el registro de evaluación y de entrevista, respectivamente. Se empleó el porcentaje como medida de resumen. Resultados: Más del 70 % de los residentes evaluados se encontró en la categoría de bien sin dificultad, estando satisfechos con la modalidad de educación a distancia. Conclusiones: Predominaron los resultados de "excelente" solo en la unidad didáctica 1 y de "bien" en la evaluación final del módulo. La unidad didáctica de "mayor dificultad" resultó ser la 2. La mayor cantidad de residentes refirió estar satisfecho con la modalidad de educación a distancia en el posgrado.

Background: The implementation of distance education at the postgraduate level during COVID-19 represents an alternative in the Cuban higher education system. Objective: To describe the results of the evaluation in posgrado, through the educational modality at distance during the third regrowth of the pandemic of COVID-19. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted between June and July 2021 at the Faculty of Stomatology, University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba. The following units of analysis were considered: teaching units, students (residents), the population consisted of 146 residents in the first year of specialization, a random sample was selected (n= 96). The variables studied were the results of the evaluations of each didactic unit and the general evaluation of the module (excellent, good, fair, and poor), level of difficulty (very difficult, difficult, and no difficulty), and level of satisfaction (satisfied, moderately satisfied, and dissatisfied). The evaluation and interview registers were used as measurement instruments, respectively, and the percentage was used as a summary measure. Results: More than 70% of the residents evaluated were in the good without difficulty category and were satisfied with the distance learning modality. Conclusions: The results "excellent" predominated only in didactic unit 1 and "good" in the final evaluation of the module. The "most difficult" didactic unit was didactic unit 2. Most residents were satisfied with the distance learning modality in the postgraduate program.

La evaluación en el posgrado mediante la educación a distancia durante la COVID-19 / Postgraduate evaluation through distance learning during COVID-19

Fundamento:La implementación de la educación a distancia en el posgrado durante la COVID-19 constituye una alternativa del sistema de educación superior cubana.Objetivo:Describir los resultados de la evaluación en el posgrado, mediante la modalidad de educación a distancia durante el tercer rebrote de la pandemia de COVID-19.Metodología:Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal entre junio y julio de 2021, en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Se consideraron como unidades de análisis: unidades didácticas, estudiantes (residentes), la población estuvo constituida por los 146 residentes que cursaban el 1.er año de la especialidad, se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria (n= 96). Se estudiaron las variables resultados de las evaluaciones de cada unidad didáctica y general del módulo (excelente, bien, regular y mal), grado de dificultad (muy difícil, difícil y sin dificultad) y nivel de satisfacción (satisfecho, medianamente satisfecho e insatisfecho). Como instrumento de medición se empleó el registro de evaluación y de entrevista, respectivamente. Se empleó el porcentaje como medida de resumen.Resultados:Más del 70 porciento de los residentes evaluados se encontró en la categoría de bien sin dificultad, estando satisfechos con la modalidad de educación a distancia.Conclusiones:Predominaron los resultados de “excelente” solo en la unidad didáctica 1 y de “bien” en la evaluación final del módulo. La unidad didáctica de “mayor dificultad” resultó ser la 2. La mayor cantidad de residentes refirió estar satisfecho con la modalidad de educación a distancia en el posgrado. [AU]

Factors Influencing the Professional Identity of Student and Licensed Professional Members of the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Purpose: Professional identity formation is positively influenced by roles models, mentors, and experiential learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role membership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) plays in developing and sustaining professional identity, and to explore whether differences exist between how students and licensed professionals perceive this role.Methods: A 48-item survey consisting of multiple choice, Likert scale, and open-ended items was created, and pilot tested before dissemination to student (SM) and licensed professional members (LM) of the ADHA via an electronic survey platform. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: Of the 31,479 surveys sent to ADHA members in the database, 1,983 were completed, for a response rate of 6.3%. Most respondents were licensed professionals (86%, n=1,699), female (98%, n=1,940) and White (84%, n=1,668). Over one-third were over 55 years of age (37%, n=727). Continuing Education and Evidence-based Research resources were identified as positively affecting professional identity (4.0 or higher means). Advocacy efforts, the Journal of Dental Hygiene, and Access Magazine had a significantly greater positive influence on LMs professional identity (p<0.05) while SMs reported patient care resources and career support had a greater influence on their professional identity (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Member benefits in the ADHA positively influence the professional identities of students and licensed professionals. Dental hygiene students most value benefits that will support their roles as future health care professionals, while licensed professionals identified evidence-based resources and advocacy efforts as instrumental in sustaining their professional identity.

Evaluation of clinical versus non-clinical continuing education in terms of preferences and value for oral healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Continuing professional development (clinical) and continuing education (non-clinical) is fundamental to education and self-improvement of all categories of staff within a large healthcare facility. AIM: This study sought to examine the attendance preferences and perceived value of clinical and non-clinical oral healthcare workers towards clinical continuing professional development (CPD) and non-clinical, continuing education (CE) activities. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional survey design was used capturing 8640 self-reported evaluations collected across 8 successive years and 160 CPD and CE activities in a large dental hospital. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics including mean scores, independent t-test and cross tabulations using chi-square. RESULTS: A strongly significant association (p < 0.001) was found between attendee position type (clinical or non-clinical) and attendance preference to either clinical or non-clinical education. Dental assistants, compared to Dentist/Specialist (p < 0.001) found the programs more accurate, relevant, improved their knowledge, would use what was learned and rated the sessions higher overall. Clinical CPD was deemed more relevant (p = 0.025) and improved knowledge (p = 0.01) while non-clinical CE had higher presenter quality (p < 0.001) and overall mean scores (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: There was a preference towards attending clinical CPD over non-clinical CE, by not only clinical, but also non-clinical oral healthcare workers. Non-clinical CE was scored higher by both clinical and non-clinical participants and should therefore be considered for inclusion in CPD education programs with similar settings.

Reconceptualising dentist learning-A commentary.

Professional bodies and organisations increasingly require health care professionals, including dentists, to account for their learning as part of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. In recent years, there has been a shift from an input-based model to an outcome- based model in order to respond to the needs of dental professionals. In this commentary, we aim to explore the learning assumptions inscribed in these models for CPD. Drawing on one of the authors' dental work experiences and contemporary professional learning literature, we hope to incite discussions on widening our perspectives about dentists' professional learning and the implications for CPD.

Dental Continuing Professional Development - Part I: Background on Dental Continuing Professional Development in Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory in most European countries and evidence shows a move towards mandatory CPD across all Member States in the near future. Malta is one of seven Member States where dental CPD is still voluntary. DISCUSSION: Although dental CPD is a legal requirement for recertification in many countries, integral aspects of dental CPD remain under debate, like whether CPD is truly effective. This is because the methods with which CPD programmes are evaluated are not sufficiently robust to give concrete evidence to determine whether CPD will actually improve quality of care, treatment outcomes and safety for the public. Evaluating the effect of CPD programmes on the public is an extremely difficult task that would require an enormous amount of resources and logistics. The minimum requirements for the number of compulsory CPD hours imposed by regulatory bodies are not evidence-based but purely arbitrary, and the core topics selected for CPD programmes, although supported by research to some extent, may not reflect the public's and profession's needs. The Dental Association of Malta recognised need for further research on dental CPD and embarked on a 3-year Dental CPD Research Project. This project will be presented in a two-part series of articles. This first article is focused on the background of dental CPD in Europe. An understanding of the current issues with CPD and flaws in methods of evaluation formed the basis of the Malta CPD Pilot Project, which will be covered in the next paper.

Dental continuing professional development - Part II: The Malta CPD Pilot Project.

INTRODUCTION: Continuing professional development (CPD) remains voluntary in nine European countries. Evidence suggests a move towards mandatory CPD across Europe with the objective of harmonisation of dental CPD. Although the importance of CPD is acknowledged, the literature regarding its effectiveness is limited and under debate. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The main aim was to measure the effectiveness and success of a new CPD programme with the objective to devise a strategy, guidelines and recommendations for the establishment of a dental CPD programme in Malta. METHODOLOGY: This project was divided into two phases; Phase 1 was the analysis of a survey sent out to 135 members of the Dental Association of Malta. Phase 2 involved the evaluation of eight verifiable CPD events, through pre-event and post-event tests and feedback forms, to investigate the effect on short-term knowledge retention and the respective satisfaction levels of participants at each event. RESULTS: The survey had a response rate of 78%. The CPD events in Phase 2 all showed statistically significant improvement in short-term knowledge retention on each subject (p < 0.05). Satisfaction levels ranged from 70% to 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The information gathered from this project was used to provide guidelines and recommendations for the local regulatory body and CPD providers for the set-up of a dental CPD framework and programmes in Malta, a country where dental CPD is still voluntary. This article is the second article from a two-part series of articles about the Malta Dental CPD Pilot project.

Nivel de conocimientos y necesidades de superación en medicina regenerativa periodontal con hemocomponentes / Level of knowledge and needs for improvement in periodontal regenerative medicine with blood components

Fundamento: los tratamientos para las periodontitis intentan conseguir la regeneración periodontal de los pacientes, y el uso de células madre y hemocomponentes surge como tecnología sanitaria, por lo que es necesario capacitar al periodoncista en aras de elevar su desempeño profesional. Objetivo: identificar el nivel de conocimientos y necesidades de superación que poseen los periodoncistas en medicina regenerativa con células madre y hemocomponentes, en Santiago de Cuba. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en la Facultad de Estomatología de Santiago de Cuba, de septiembre 2019 a marzo 2020. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos, empíricos: un cuestionario cuyos resultados se catalogaron en suficientes, medianamente suficientes e insuficientes; y la estadística para el análisis de los resultados. Resultados: ningún especialista reportó conocimientos suficientes en los aspectos tratados, y al calcular la media aritmética, por debajo del 15 % tenía conocimientos medianamente suficientes de los aspectos que se investigaron. Las principales dificultades se detectaron en lo referente a estudios de laboratorio, remisión, identificación de reacciones adversas asociadas a esta terapia, la selección y métodos de obtención de los hemocomponentes y la aplicación clínico-quirúrgica de las variantes del tratamiento disponibles en la provincia. Conclusiones: se evidenciaron insuficiencias en el conocimiento para la aplicación de la medicina regenerativa con hemocomponentes de los especialistas en Periodoncia encuestados, por lo que se requiere una estrategia de superación para elevar la calidad del servicio.

Background: the treatments for periodontitis try to achieve the periodontal regeneration of patients, and the use of stem cells and blood components emerges as health technology, so it is necessary to train the periodontist in order to improve their professional performance. Objective: to identify the level of knowledge and improvement needs that periodontists have in regenerative medicine with stem cells and blood components, in Santiago de Cuba. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the Dentistry Faculty of Santiago de Cuba, from September 2019 to March 2020. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied: a questionnaire whose results were classified as sufficient, moderately sufficient and insufficient; and statistics for the analysis of the results. Results: no specialist reported sufficient knowledge in the aspects covered, and when calculating the arithmetic mean, below 15% had moderately sufficient knowledge of the aspects that were investigated. The main difficulties were detected in relation to laboratory studies, remission, identification of adverse reactions associated with this therapy, the selection and methods of obtaining blood components, and the clinical-surgical application of the treatment variants available in the province. Conclusions: insufficiencies in the knowledge for the application of regenerative medicine with blood components of the specialists in Periodontics surveyed were evidenced, for which an improvement strategy is required to raise the quality of the service.

A extensão universitária na formação do cirurgião-dentista / Importance of university extension in the professional training of dentalsurgeons

As universidades têmse transformado ao longo dos tempos. O foco principal no ensino foi sendo ampliado com ações de pesquisa e de extensão. Esta vem ganhando cada vez mais espaço nas instituições de ensino superior, fazendo parteda tríade que sustenta a formação universitária. O objetivo desta revisão de literatura foi mostrar a importância da extensão universitária na formação profissional de cirurgiões-dentistas e para a sociedade. A estratégia de busca de artigos se deu por palavras-chave relacionadas à Odontologia e à extensão universitária em bases de dados eletrônicas, no período de agosto a outubro de 2019. A prática da extensão,em comunidades diversas, fortalece a compreensão dos estudantes quanto ao processo saúde-doença, permite conhecer arealidade econômica e social em diferentes cenários, permite vivenciar a rede deserviços públicos de saúde, assim comoparticipar da prestação de serviços à população, tornando-osmais humanizadose capacitados a promover a saúde da comunidade em que estão inseridos. A extensão universitária tem um importante papel na formação profissional do cirurgião-dentista, colaborando para que atue deforma competente para contemplar as diversas necessidades da população, estimulando ações de promoção de saúde e informação à população emgeral, que também se torna beneficiada com estas ações, e fortalecendo o compromisso da universidade com a sociedade (AU).

Universities have transformed over time. The main focus of teachingstarted to expandwith research and extension activities. Extensioncourseshavebeen increasingly introducedin higher education institutions, participating inthe triad that sustains university education. Thisliterature review aimed to show the importance of university extension in the professional training of dental surgeons and society. The strategy for searching articles was based on keywords related to dentistry and university extension,in electronic databases, from August to October 2019. In different communities, the practice of extension strengthens the understanding of students about the health-disease processandallows knowing the economic and social realitiesof different scenarios, experiencing the public health care network, and participating in the provision of services to the population, which makesstudents more humanized and able to promote health to theircommunities. University extension plays an important role in the professional training of dental surgeons, helping them to workcompetently assisting in the diverse needs of the population, stimulating health promotion and information tothe general population who also benefitsfrom these activities, andstrengthening the commitmentof the universityto society (AU).

Experiences of professionalized chilean dental educators: a qualitative study / Experiencias de docentes chilenos profesionalizados de la carrera de odontología: un estudio cualitativo

Introduction: The active learning process is certainly one of the most complex challenges in dental education. It is essential for the development of critical thinking and clinical skills. There is evidence of the need for teacher professionalization, but there is scarce literature reporting on the positive changes in the teaching profession based on such professionalization. The aim of the present study is to explore the experiences of the pedagogical performance of professionalized educators in dentistry. Material and Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a design based on content analysis. The sample was selected for convenience and included dentists who have completed a master's degree in teaching in higher education, who were part of the teaching staff of a dental university program and with a career experience of at least 5 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with three initial dimensions: Teaching Career, Motivation for Teacher Professionalization, and Impact on the teaching-learning process. The interviews were verbatim transcribed and content analysis was performed by the researchers using data triangulation. The research was approved by the research and ethics committee. Results: Six categories were established: Generational clash, Motivations to practice teaching, Motivations to professionalize teaching, Competences acquired after professionalization, Effects of professionalization in the classroom context, and Shortcomings of the professionalized educator. Conclusion: Professionalized dental educators show comprehensive improvements in their performance. They have developed practical competences for the specific needs of the courses they give.

Introducción: El proceso activo de aprendizaje es sin duda uno de los desafíos de mayor complejidad en la educación dental, el cual resulta imprescindible para el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico y habilidades clínicas. Existe evidencia de la necesidad de profesionalización docente, pero escasa literatura en odontología que exprese los cambios positivos desde el quehacer docente a partir de dicha profesionalización. El presente estudio tiene el objetivo de explorar las experiencias del quehacer pedagógico a los docentes profesionalizados de la carrera de Odontología Material y Métodos: Estudio cualitativo con un diseño basado en el análisis de contenido. La muestra fue seleccionada por conveniencia, buscando seleccionar cirujano-dentistas que hayan cursado un magíster en docencia para la educación superior, que sean parte del plantel docente de la carrera de odontología y que posean trayectoria de al menos 5 años. Se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas, con tres dimensiones iniciales: Trayectoria Docente, Motivación de Profesionalización Docente e impacto en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Las entrevistas se transcribieron verbatim y se realizó análisis de contenido, realizando triangulación entre los investigadores. La investigación contó con la aprobación del comité de ética e investigación. Resultados: Se generaron 6 categorías: Choque generacional, Motivaciones para ejercer la docencia, Motivaciones para profesionalizar la docencia, Competencias adquiridas tras la profesionalización, Efectos de la profesionalización en el contexto de aula y Falencias como docente profesionalizado. Conclusion: Los docentes profesionalizados de odontología evidencian mejoras integrales en sus quehaceres; desarrolladas de forma específica para la singularidad de cada curso.

Assessment of drug-prescribing perception and practice among dental care providers: a cross-sectional Lebanese study

BACKGROUND: Dentists play an essential role in providing high-quality dental care, taking into consideration the clinical context and concomitant medications taken by the patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess drug-prescribing perception and practices in addition to drug-related educational needs among Lebanese dentists; it also evaluated the need for interprofessional collaboration between dentists and pharmacists. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire targeted a sample of dentists from all Lebanese districts. Participants gave their consent by accepting to complete the survey (ethics approval reference: USJ-2016-63). The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions exploring: 1) drug-prescribing perception, 2) drug-prescribing practice, and 3) collaboration with pharmacists regarding their respective roles in providing appropriate counseling to patients. Two indexes were created: the first evaluated self-confidence in prescribing medications, and the second assessed dentists' confidence in pharmacists. Logistic regressions were performed, taking each index as a dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 137 dentists completed the survey (59% females; mean age: 42.17; SD: 13.78 years). The majority had a fair to good perceived knowledge in pharmacology and therapeutics (80.3%), only 30.7% reported to be sufficiently equipped to prescribe safely. Dentists exhibited particularly low perceived knowledge about prescribing in elderly patients, dosing, medication use in pregnancy, drug interactions, and adverse reactions. Dentists specialized in periodontics had the lowest odds of having self-confidence in prescribing drugs (aOR=0.25; p < 0.001). Also, 64.3% declared that they routinely check a reference source before prescribing, and 78% relied on pharmaceutical companies and medical representatives to get information on medications. While 61% declared that pharmacists should provide oral care counseling, only half of them encouraged their patients to talk to their pharmacists about their medications. Only 15% considered that patients are getting enough counseling from the pharmacist, with a global confidence index below the median value, suggesting the need for more collaboration, especially with periodontists who exhibited the lowest confidence in pharmacists (aOR=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Lebanese dentists reported some lack of knowledge and confidence in prescribing practices. Education, training, and close collaboration between pharmacists and dentists are essential to overcome these problems and avoid potential harm to patients

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[Education and the dentist in 2025. An inventory of the gerodontology-programme for 5 Dutch and Flemish dental schools]. / Serie: Tandheelkundig onderwijs anno 2025. Een inventarisatie van het gerodontologie-onderwijs bij 5 Nederlandse en Vlaamse opleidingen tandheelkunde.

In a consensus meeting (September 2019) of the three Dutch and the two Flemish dental schools their current education programmes on gerodontology were presented and discussed. The aim was to examine if these programmes were in line with the most recent (inter)national guidelines, such as those of the European College of Gerodontology and the recently introduced Dutch framework Oral Health Care (2020). Therefore, the competences regarding the domain of gerodontology were analysed to assess if students were prepared adequately to meet the oral health care needs of the ageing population. In the consensus meeting a new set of competences was formulated together with a new outline for the gerodontology-programme applicable for the Dutch and Flemish dental schools.

An investigation into security, self-confidence and gender differences related to undergraduate education in Endodontics.

AIM: To analyse responses from dental practitioners (DPs) on how secure they felt as a newly graduated dentist, level of confidence or self-efficacy when performing root canal treatment (RCT), and if undergraduate (UG) education in Endodontics adequately met their needs in a dental practice. METHODOLOGY: An electronic questionnaire was sent to 459 dentists who graduated from the University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway, between 2008 and 2018. The survey consisted of questions with closed-end options and Likert scale (1-5). An open-ended free text option was always provided. RESULTS: A total of 314 (68.4%) DPs answered the questionnaire. Of these, 87 (27.8%) were men and 224 (71.3%) were women. Three respondents did not disclose their gender. As a newly graduated dentist, 37.3% of the respondents felt secure when performing RCT, 30.7% felt indifferent, and 32.0% felt insecure. The majority (72.4%) of respondents were either confident or very confident when performing RCT, 21.3% were indifferent, and 6.3% had little or no confidence. A majority of DPs (84.4%) self-evaluated the quality of their root fillings as good or very good, and 15.2% were indifferent. Only one DP selected 'not good' and none selected 'bad'. There were significant gender differences where male DPs felt more secure than female DPs when performing RCT (P < 0.001). A significantly larger number of men were very confident compared to women (P < 0.001). A logistic regression analysis using confidence as a dependent variable to predict self-efficacy revealed that DPs who felt secure when performing RCT as a newly graduated dentist had about 8 times more self-efficacy (odds ratio = 8.49) than those who were insecure or indifferent. Respondents who rated their quality of root fillings as good or very good had forty times more self-efficacy (odds ratio = 40.06) when performing RCT. UG education in endodontics was considered inadequate by 71.3% of the respondents where a significantly larger number of DPs (70%) wanted more clinical training (P < 0.05). About half the DPs (47.7%) stated that there was a need for lifelong learning with majority preferring hands-on courses and continuing dental education organized by dental associations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that there is a need to promote self-efficacy during UG education in Endodontics. Hands-on training is the preferred form of lifelong learning for DPs.

Challenges and Dilemmas for Dental Undergraduate Teaching with the Advent of COVID-19

ABSTRACT Since the 1980s, the development of neoliberalism has been observed in Brazil, which has led to the progressive weakening of public policies (including those of education) and the population's impoverishment. In the field of education, there was an increase in the privatization of higher education, inadequate to the requirements of national development, characterizing it more as a commodity than as a right. This article aims to discuss some challenges, risks, and possible strategies to face the impact of the COVID19 pandemic in undergraduate dental education. This pandemic had an immediate and dramatic impact on dental education in more than 130 countries, prompting teachers and students to adopt remote teaching activities. In Brazil, theoretical classes were offered remotely, mainly in private institutions where there was an intensification of academic work for both teachers and students. This process requires support in technological and pedagogical aspects, including tools, resources, and training courses. In the resumption of clinical education, changes in biosafety actions are being proposed to preserve the health of the actors involved. The application of these measures will imply a great mobilization of students, teachers, and technicians and extra attention so that the constitutive dimensions of the teaching-learning process in health are not minimized or forgotten.

Análisis de una estrategia de enseñanza virtual durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Analysis of a virtual teaching strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Durante la pandemia COVID-19, la Cátedra de Cirugía y Traumatología Bucomaxilofacial I, de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FOUBA), ha implementado la educación virtual como alternativa a las clases presenciales, con el fin de continuar con los procesos formativos educacionales. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir y analizar la estrategia de enseñanza virtual implementada a través del campus virtual de la FOUBA. Un total de 172 estudiantes fueron evaluados mediante un examen oral de tipo coloquial por videoconferencia. Se consideró aprobado a quienes obtuvieron una nota igual o mayor a 4 (cuatro). Para el análisis, se realizó una comparación entre las notas obtenidas durante la evaluación parcial del año 2020 correspondiente a la cursada virtual, y las del año 2019 correspondiente a la cursada presencial. Se obtuvo como resultados que: año 2019: total 155 alumnos (5 libres y libre no aprobado). En la primer fecha de examen se presentó el 72,26% del alumnado (112 estudiantes). Aprobó el 82,14% (92 aprobados y 20 desaprobados), La media fue 4,46 (DS+-2,27). Año 2020: total 172 alumnos (8 libres y 1 libre no aprobado). En la primera fecha de examen se presentó el 86,05% del alumnado (148 estudiantes). Aprobó el 95,27% (141 aprobados y 7 desaprobados). La media fue 6,81% (DS+-1,73) (AU)

[Series: Education and the dentist in 2025. The external practical internship: a taste of professional dental practice]. / Serie: Onderwijs en de tandarts anno 2025. De externe praktijkstage: proeven aan de beroepsuitoefening als tandarts.

The practical training in dental schools in the Netherlands is largely organised within the walls of the educational institution, while many other medical educational programmes provide practical training to a large extent in the professional environment. The external practical internship is a form of practical learning with which positive experience has been gained in foreign dental schools, both by students and dentist-supervisors. The Dutch dental schools have a joint plan to set up practical internships in dental practices for master's students in the final year of their education. The aim of such an internship is that students in the last phase of their programme learn to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in an actual professional environment. This includes both clinical and dental treatment and the ability to organise oral health care for patients and everything that comes with it. This article describes the outline of this programme.