Changes of knowledge and practical skills before and after retraining for basic life support: Focused on students of Dental School.

Background: Considering the increasing possibility of emergency situations in dental clinics over time, we conducted this study to evaluate the changes in the knowledge and practical skills of students of dental school before and after retraining for 2 years after the initial education on basic life support (BLS) of the American Heart Association (AHA). Methods: All third-year students of dental school who had received the same education on BLS provider training of the AHA 2 years earlier were included in this study. Among them, 98 students were asked to answer a questionnaire about BLS knowledge and conduct a practical skills assessment of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation using Little Anne QCPR before and after retraining. Results: After retraining, the level of BLS knowledge increased in all 7 categories, and BLS performance increased in all 19 subcategories. Comparison of the QCPR numerical data items before and after retraining showed that all items after retraining met the criteria recommended by the AHA. Conclusion: Students of dental school had low levels of knowledge and practical skills of BLS before retraining after 2 years from the initial education and had high levels after retraining. Therefore, BLS training must be updated periodically, and more effective education methods are required to maintain BLS knowledge and practical skills.

Producción científica de los decanos de facultades y directores de escuelas de odontología del Perú / Scientific production by deans and directors of dental schools in Peru

Introducción: la investigacion científica y su publicación, contribuye con el desarrollo de la odontología. Objetivo: determinar la producción científica de los decanos de facultades y directores de escuelas de odontología del Perú. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal, en una muestra de 15 decanos de facultades y 25 directores de escuelas de odontología en 2019. Para identificar la producción científica se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de artículos en la base de datos de SciELO, Scopus y el motor de búsqueda de Google Académico. Resultados: De la muestra analizada solo 13 (32,5 por ciento) habían publicado un artículo en su vida, 9 (22,5 por ciento) en los últimos 5 años y 8 (20 por ciento) en el último año. Solo 6 (15 por ciento) como primer autor y 10 (25 por ciento) como coautor. En relación a las publicaciones indizadas en las bases de datos seleccionadas, 8 (20 por ciento) publicaron en Scopus y SciELO, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la producción científica de los decanos de facultades y directores de escuelas de odontología en Perú es baja(AU)

Introduction: the conduct and publication of scientific studies contribute to the development of dentistry. Objective: determine the scientific production of deans and directors of dental schools in Peru. Methods: a cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted of a sample of 15 deans and 25 directors of dental schools in 2019. Identification of scientific production was based on a search for papers published in the databases SciELO and Scopus and the search engine Google Scholar. Results: of the sample analyzed, only 13 (32.5 percent) had had a paper published in their lifetimes, 9 (22.5 percent) in the last 5 years and 8 (20 percent) in the last year. Only 6 (15 percent) appeared as first authors and 10 (25 percent) as co-authors. With respect to publications indexed in the databases selected, 8 (20 percent) were published in Scopus and SciELO, respectively. Conclusions: the scientific production of deans and directors of dental schools in Peru is low(AU)

Acceptance of systematic reviews as Master/PhD theses in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a master and PhD thesis in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry can be based on a systematic review (SR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed the coordinators of Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry using a self-administered questionnaire including questions about whether an SR meets requirements for approval of a master or PhD thesis, instructions regarding how to use an SR as the method for a master or PhD thesis, and reasons and barriers that SRs were not recognized as acceptable for a master or PhD thesis. The responses were analyzed descriptively, and tables and graphs were created to summarize the data. RESULTS: Among 101 graduate programs invited to participate in the study, 38 (37.6%) returned the questionnaire. Over three-quarters of surveyed programs (n = 30, 78.1%) answered that SRs, in whole or in part, meet the criteria for a master or PhD thesis. Likewise, most programs answered that a master or PhD thesis could be exclusively based on an SR (n = 28, 73.7%). The same number of programs pointed out that one possible reason for not recognizing SRs as a master or PhD thesis is either the lack of SR expertise among committee members (n = 28, 73.7%) or the lack of adequate training of candidates in SR methodology (n = 26, 68.4%). CONCLUSIONS: SRs are well accepted as a master or PhD thesis by Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry. Educational initiatives should be encouraged to promote understanding of SR methodology and increase acceptance among graduate programs worldwide.

Predicting professional school performance with a unique lens: are there other cognitive predictors?

BACKGROUND: We investigated the associations between admissions criteria and performance in four cohorts of pre-dental MS in Oral Health Sciences (OHS) program at Boston University Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine. Previously we have reported that OHS serves as a successful pre-dental pipeline program for students from underrepresented groups. METHODS: We evaluated academic variables that further affect overall graduate GPA and grades in the first year dental school courses taken by OHS students at Boston University between 2012 and 2016 as part of the MS curriculum. Demographic data, region of residency, undergraduate grade point average, number of science and math credits, major of study, dental admissions test scores and undergraduate institution were collected. The competitiveness of the undergraduate institution was scored based on Barron's Profiles of American Colleges. OHS-GPA was assessed and individual grades in two first year dental school courses taken as part of the OHS curriculum were collected. Analysis of variance, the Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test were utilized to assess associations between academic performance parameters, successful program completion and matriculation to dental school. RESULTS: Results indicate that undergraduate major, age and number of science course credits taken had no impact on MS performance in the Boston University MS in Oral Health Sciences program; however, students who took an undergraduate course in Physiology performed better than those who did not (p = 0.034). This was not the case with courses in Cell Biology and Biochemistry. Students with DAT scores over 20 academic average (p = 0.001), 18 total science average (p = 0.001) and 22 reading comprehension (p = 0.004) performed better in dental school courses taken in OHS. CONCLUSION: We report that strong test scores, attending a mid or highly rigorous undergraduate institution and completion of an undergraduate Physiology course are positive predictors. We hope these findings will guide admission's decisions and improve recruitment to, and future success of, graduate student's pursuit of professional school. Understanding alternative predictors of success may help to reduce the intrinsic bias among applicants from underrepresented groups and continue to look beyond the DATs (or MCATs) to decrease the gap between professionals from underrepresented groups and those they serve.

Data Collection for Adverse Events Reporting by US Dental Schools.

OBJECTIVES: Accreditation of US dental schools requires a formal system of quality assessment of clinical adverse events (AE). There is no universal system to collect, record, interpret, or release findings or trends pertaining to AEs. The objective of this study was to compare similarities and differences among the AE reporting forms used at US dental schools. METHODS: Sixteen (24%) dental schools responded to a query to provide copies of their AE forms. The forms were analyzed to identify unique AE items. A total of 69 unique AE items were identified, grouped, and ranked according to frequency. Methods of AE data collection were also noted. RESULTS: The forms were different in organization, form, and content. The 69 AE items represented a wide variety of information, with no standardization of the type of information, how it was collected, or by whom. We identified 9 most requested AE items and 4 least requested AE items. The schools differed in how the information was obtained: 2 schools used a menu, 8 schools used free response, and 6 schools used a hybrid of both methods. CONCLUSIONS: We found that dental school clinic AE reporting forms are not standardized in structure, organization, or content. We conclude that a hybrid form containing both guided responses and free responses would ensure that proper information is being reported to fully understand why/how an AE occurred. In addition, dental schools need to develop a standardized method of collecting and assessing AE data which will allow for quality improvement and increased patient safety.

Conscious sedation in Spanish dental schools: Current situation.

The current Spanish curricula for degrees in dentistry include conscious sedation (CS) as a basic training competency. However, is the CS training delivered by Spanish dental schools a consensus-based educational framework enabling students to use this anesthetic technique after graduation? To answer this research question, a study was designed aiming to identify the strategies used to teach this competency in Spanish dental schools and the characteristics of teaching. The authors reviewed legislation concerning officially established requirements for a degree in dentistry as well as curricula currently taught in Spain. Our analysis identified clear discrepancies among the schools of dentistry studied. The only overlap was observed in reference to the level of proficiency imparted, which prevents Spanish dentistry students from using this anesthetic technique after graduation. Specific features of the normative framework and of the Spanish legislative system underlying the design of the present curricula of degrees in dentistry would explain the discrepancies in CS competencies taught at our schools of dentistry. Almost 10 years since its implementation and in light of the new demands of the complex society in which we live, Spanish universities must unify their educational criteria regarding CS training to ensure the appropriate qualification of our new dentists in this technique.

Status of Oral Health Training in U.S. Primary Care Programs: A Qualitative Study to Define Characteristics and Outcomes.

With increasing recognition of the important relationship between oral and systemic health, non-dental health professions schools and programs are now teaching their students about oral health in various ways. This study built on surveys of medical schools, primary care residency and fellowship programs, and other health professions programs conducted by the authors in 2017, which found some had made significant progress in integrating oral health into primary care training, while others lagged behind. The aim of the current study was to better understand the characteristics and climate of oral health education in non-dental health professions schools by conducting interviews with leaders of programs who had self-identified in the surveys as having a robust oral health curriculum. Hour-long interviews were conducted between October 2017 and March 2018 with 31 program directors or deans of medical specialty and allied health professions programs using a semi-structured interview guide. These interviewees were from 13 health disciplines. The coding of interview transcripts identified seven major themes: motivations to develop an oral health curriculum; rationale for curriculum topics covered; best aspects of the curriculum; evaluation and assessment strategies; relationships with dental providers and residents and dental hygienists; barriers and challenges; and advice and lessons learned. The interviewees reported a strong belief that oral health is an important health topic. Key elements that interviewees identified as helping them build robust oral health programs in their primary care curricula were the following: having an oral health champion; having some funding; building relationships with dental professionals; using local, state, and national resources; using curricular materials from existing sources; incorporating skills-based sessions; taking an IPE approach; and making oral health part of what the program already does. These findings should be useful for primary care schools and programs that are beginning to add oral health to their curricula and those seeking to improve their existing oral health education for their students.

Predoctoral Dental Education in Tooth Prognosis and Treatment Complexity: A Survey of U.S. Dental Schools.

The aim of this study was to determine the educational methods and tools used to teach tooth prognosis and treatment complexity determination in U.S. predoctoral dental programs. In 2018, an online survey was emailed to the academic deans of all 66 accredited U.S. dental schools. Of these, 42 schools responded (63.6%), and 36 schools completed the entire survey (54.5%). The methods reported for teaching tooth prognosis and case complexity determination varied widely among the participating schools. Among the respondents, 25% reported using the American Association of Endodontists' Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment, while 10% reported having no specific method for teaching prognosis. The most common method for teaching overall treatment complexity was the Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index, which was used by 24% of the respondents. However, another 24% reported that their school did not have a specific method for teaching treatment complexity. Large percentages of the respondents reported that students sometimes or often made wrong tooth prognosis and case complexity determination (90% and 92%, respectively). The most prominent feedback provided by the respondents based on their experience was the importance of faculty standardization, the understanding of students' inexperience, and the need for an interdisciplinary approach. The majority of these respondents reported that their schools had specific methods of teaching prognosis and case complexity determination. However, there was a wide range of teaching practices related to the contents and levels of evidence.

Mandatory Drug Testing of Dental Students: To Test or Not to Test: Viewpoint 1: Drug Testing of Dental Students Should Be Mandatory for the Benefit of Students, Institutions, Patients, and the Profession and Viewpoint 2: Mandatory Drug Testing of Dental Students Carries Costs and Risks for Institutions and Students and Has Unproven Benefits.

An educational institution's decision to test or not test its students for drug use is controversial and complex. Although negative consequences of substance use disorder are well known, the consumption of prohibited substances continues to increase in young adults. Given the awareness of increasing drug use on college campuses and the potential impact on future health care professionals, issues associated with mandatory drug testing of dental students warrant investigation. The purpose of this Point/Counterpoint article is to present opposing viewpoints on whether mandatory student drug testing (MSDT) should be implemented for dental students. Viewpoint 1 affirms that MSDT is legal, ensures public safety, is recognized as a need in health care education, promotes professional and ethical responsibility, and is cost-effective. Viewpoint 2 asserts that MSDT has not been proven to be an effective deterrent for student drug use and it poses risks and costs for both institutions and students, ranging from potential violation of students' civil liberties to the consequences of false positive tests. This article's presentation of the recent literature on both sides of this issue provides dental educators with pertinent information for considering implementation of MSDT in their institutions.

Qualifications and Characteristics North American Dental Deans Seek in Department Chairpersons.

The aim of this study was to determine whether deans of North American dental schools perceived that one category of department chairperson skills (leadership or management) was more important than the other for their chairpersons to be successful. A secondary purpose was to determine the professional qualifications and personal characteristics these deans perceived contributed most to the success of department chairpersons and whether those differed by the research emphasis of the school. An email survey was sent in 2016 to all 75 deans of U.S. and Canadian dental schools with graduating classes. Section one of the survey was an open response section asking deans to list the five most essential characteristics of a successful department chairperson. Section two asked deans to rank the importance of eight listed professional qualifications, and the last section asked deans to rate the importance of four leadership and four management traits that could contribute to the success of their chairpersons. Questions about characteristics of the deans and the schools were also included. A response rate of 46.7% was obtained. The most frequent characteristics listed in the open response section were in the categories of vision, academic expertise, and integrity. The three most highly ranked professional qualifications were previous teaching experience, previous administrative experience, and history of external research funding. Four of the eight professional qualifications were ranked differently by deans of high compared to moderate research-intensive schools (p<0.05). Overall, the respondents rated leadership skills more highly than management skills (p=0.002) as important for departmental chairpersons.

Interprofessional Education in U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs: Program Director Responses Before and After Introduction of CODA Standard 2-15.

A 2014 survey found that dental hygiene program directors perceived interprofessional education (IPE) as a priority for themselves and the dental hygiene profession in the U.S. The aim of this study was to explore whether IPE collaborations in dental hygiene programs and program directors' attitudes changed from 2014 to 2017 since the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) Standard 2-15 on IPE was introduced in August 2016. In May 2017, directors of all 325 U.S. dental hygiene programs were invited to participate in a web-based survey. A total of 117 directors responded, for a 38% response rate, and their responses were then compared with the responses in 2014 (that survey had a 33% response rate). The results showed that, while the percentage of responding dental hygiene programs with a nursing program on campus had decreased (90% to 80%; p<0.022), the likelihood of having other health care-related programs on campus did not change. In 2017 as compared to 2014, the programs were still most likely to collaborate with nursing (50% vs. 46%) and other allied health professions (44% vs. 56%) and in intraprofessional education with dental assisting programs (41% vs. 41%). IPE was still most likely to occur in volunteer activities (68% vs. 73%), basic science courses (65% vs. 60%), and communications training (63% vs. 63%). In 2017, program directors rated IPE as less challenging for programs to manage than in 2014 (on five-point scale with 1=not at all challenging: 3.31 vs. 3.62; p=0.022). However, the responding directors did not view IPE as being as important to the profession in 2017 as the respondents reported in 2014 (3.29 vs. 3.88; p<0.001). The majority in 2017 agreed/strongly agreed that Standard 2-15 will improve the profile of dental hygiene as part of the health care team (77%) and contribute to integrating dental hygiene into interprofessional care (IPC) teams (78%). Overall, this study found that the introduction of an explicit IPE dental hygiene CODA standard in 2016 had already resulted in changes after only one year. However, the responding program directors' lower agreement with statements concerning their graduates' IPC-related competence deserves further attention.

Preliminary Performance of the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT): Association Between ADAT Scores and Other Variables for Applicants to Residency Programs at a U.S. Dental School.

Historically, dental residency programs have used numerical assessment criteria to evaluate and identify qualified candidates for admission. Recent elimination of such assessment tools has undermined many programs' holistic evaluation process. The Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) was developed and recently piloted in hopes of addressing this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary performance and validity of the ADAT by exploring the association between ADAT scores and other variables for a sample of applicants to residency programs. The WebAdMIT admissions database was used to identify the test scores and educational and demographic information of 92 individuals who completed the pilot ADAT and were seeking a 2017 postgraduate specialty position at Indiana University School of Dentistry. The results showed that the ADAT had strong to weak correlations with certain applicant variables (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for age, race, school location, or country of origin. However, males performed better than females (p<0.05), and non-Hispanics performed better than Hispanics (p<0.01). ADAT component scores were also higher for individuals with a history of research activity (p<0.05). This study found that significant associations existed between the ADAT and indices typically associated with competitive applicants. These findings suggest that the ADAT may serve as a useful numerical assessment instrument, with the potential to identify high-performing candidates. Furthermore, the ADAT seemed to be a plausible option for programs seeking to incorporate a quantitative assessment instrument as part of a holistic candidate selection process.

Oral Health and Dental Students' Perceptions of Their Clinical Learning Environment: A Focus Group Study.

Creating an optimal clinical learning environment poses a challenge to health professions educators. To evaluate and improve the clinical learning environment, it is necessary to understand students' experiences of their environment and the factors they perceive as having an impact on their learning. The aim of this explorative qualitative study was to examine University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry students' perceptions of their clinical learning environment to gain insights into how learning outcomes could be enhanced. In 2015, all approximately 600 students at all levels of the Bachelor of Oral Health and Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, were invited to participate in focus groups. Focus groups facilitated by the faculty education research fellow and another researcher employed for the project were conducted during the second half of the academic year. Transcribed data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. Twenty-one students from all levels of the two programs attended one of six confidential focus groups. Three broad themes were evident in the results from all groups: feedback processes, assessments and grading, and tutor interactions. In the focus groups, students expressed dissatisfaction regarding current feedback practices, types of feedback to benefit learning, consistency in the grading system, and impact of different educators' teaching styles on learning. These results indicated a need for further research and curricular efforts to promote good student-teacher relationships in the clinical learning environment, which are paramount for creating an optimal teaching and learning environment and enhancing student outcomes.

Caracterización bibliométrica de la producción científica de la Facultad de Estomatología Raúl González Sánchez, 2011-2015 / Bibliometric characterization of scientific production at Raúl González Sánchez dental school, 2011-2015

Introducción: el estudio bibliométrico es una herramienta que permite el análisis de la producción científica de las instituciones. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento bibliométrico de la producción científica de la Facultad de Estomatología entre 2011-2015. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio bibliométrico descriptivo. El universo quedó conformado por 696 publicaciones realizadas en el periodo de estudio controladas en las bases de datos. Las variables estudiadas fueron: publicaciones por año, tipo de publicación, tipo de temáticas abordadas, lugar de publicación, categoría docente del primer autor y productividad por autores. Resultados: en el periodo se efectuaron 696 publicaciones científicas, el 44,2 por ciento correspondieron al tema clínico-patológico y el 18,5 por ciento al pedagógico. El 64,5 por ciento fueron artículos originales, el 17,5 por ciento revisiones bibliográficas y el 9,3 pr ciento presentaciones de casos, y las semblanzas y los editoriales con el 1,2 por ciento, respectivamente. El 48,4 por ciento de los primeros autores tenían categoría de profesor auxiliar. El 53,4 por ciento de los trabajos se publicó en revistas científicas. Diez profesores fueron los más productivos con un total de 101 artículos, para un 18,0 por ciento del total. Conclusiones: La producción científica se mantuvo en niveles similares por años. Más de la mitad de los artículos se publicó en revistas arbitradas; prevalecieron los artículos de temas clínico-patológico y pedagógico; la mayoría de los artículos fueron artículos originales; predominaron los primeros autores con la categoría de profesor auxiliar. Los profesores más productivos de la facultad tuvieron a su cargo casi la quinta parte de las publicaciones(AU)

Introduction: bibliometric studies are tools allowing analysis of the scientific production of institutions. Objective: characterize the bibliometric behavior of the scientific production at the School of Dentistry in the period 2011-2015. Methods: a descriptive bibliometric study was conducted. The study universe was composed of 696 papers published in the study period and included in the corresponding databases. The variables analyzed were publications per year, publication type, topic dealt with, place of publication, teaching category of the first author and productivity per author. Results: a total 696 scientific papers were published in the period, 44.2 percent of which dealt with clinical pathology and 18.5 percent with teaching. 64.5 percent were original papers, 17.5 percent were bibliographic reviews, 9.3 percent were case reports, 1.2 percent were bibliographic sketches and 1.2 percent were editorials. 53.4 percent of the first authors were Associate Professors. 52.4 percent of the papers had been published in scientific journals. Ten professors were the most productive with 101 papers, for 18.0 percent of the total number. Conclusions: scientific production has remained at a similar level for years. More than half the papers were published in peer-reviewed journals. There was a prevalence of clinical pathology and teaching subjects. Most of the papers were original. A predominance was found of first authors with the category of Assistant Professor. The most productive professors at the school published almost one fifth of all the papers(AU)

Caracterización bibliométrica de la producción científica de la Facultad de Estomatología Raúl González Sánchez, 2011-2015 / Bibliometric characterization of scientific production at Raúl González Sánchez dental school, 2011-2015

Introducción: el estudio bibliométrico es una herramienta que permite el análisis de la producción científica de las instituciones. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento bibliométrico de la producción científica de la Facultad de Estomatología entre 2011-2015. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio bibliométrico descriptivo. El universo quedó conformado por 696 publicaciones realizadas en el periodo de estudio controladas en las bases de datos. Las variables estudiadas fueron: publicaciones por año, tipo de publicación, tipo de temáticas abordadas, lugar de publicación, categoría docente del primer autor y productividad por autores. Resultados: en el periodo se efectuaron 696 publicaciones científicas, el 44,2 por ciento correspondieron al tema clínico-patológico y el 18,5 por ciento al pedagógico. El 64,5 por ciento fueron artículos originales, el 17,5 por ciento revisiones bibliográficas y el 9,3 pr ciento presentaciones de casos, y las semblanzas y los editoriales con el 1,2 por ciento, respectivamente. El 48,4 por ciento de los primeros autores tenían categoría de profesor auxiliar. El 53,4 por ciento de los trabajos se publicó en revistas científicas. Diez profesores fueron los más productivos con un total de 101 artículos, para un 18,0 por ciento del total. Conclusiones: La producción científica se mantuvo en niveles similares por años. Más de la mitad de los artículos se publicó en revistas arbitradas; prevalecieron los artículos de temas clínico-patológico y pedagógico; la mayoría de los artículos fueron artículos originales; predominaron los primeros autores con la categoría de profesor auxiliar. Los profesores más productivos de la facultad tuvieron a su cargo casi la quinta parte de las publicaciones(AU)

Introduction: bibliometric studies are tools allowing analysis of the scientific production of institutions. Objective: characterize the bibliometric behavior of the scientific production at the School of Dentistry in the period 2011-2015. Methods: a descriptive bibliometric study was conducted. The study universe was composed of 696 papers published in the study period and included in the corresponding databases. The variables analyzed were publications per year, publication type, topic dealt with, place of publication, teaching category of the first author and productivity per author. Results: a total 696 scientific papers were published in the period, 44.2 percent of which dealt with clinical pathology and 18.5 percent with teaching. 64.5 percent were original papers, 17.5 percent were bibliographic reviews, 9.3 percent were case reports, 1.2 percent were bibliographic sketches and 1.2 percent were editorials. 53.4 percent of the first authors were Associate Professors. 52.4 percent of the papers had been published in scientific journals. Ten professors were the most productive with 101 papers, for 18.0 percent of the total number. Conclusions: scientific production has remained at a similar level for years. More than half the papers were published in peer-reviewed journals. There was a prevalence of clinical pathology and teaching subjects. Most of the papers were original. A predominance was found of first authors with the category of Assistant Professor. The most productive professors at the school published almost one fifth of all the papers(AU)

Methods and Purposes for Conducting Students' Course Evaluations Reported by North American Dental School and Dental Hygiene Program Leaders: A Preliminary Survey Study.

The aim of this preliminary survey study was to determine the perceptions of leaders of dental schools and dental hygiene programs regarding methods of and purposes for conducting students' course evaluations and their role in course improvement, curriculum design, and faculty assessment. A short electronic survey was distributed in 2016 to the academic deans of all 76 dental schools in the U.S. and Canada and a convenience sample of program directors of 232 of the total 332 accredited dental hygiene programs. Individuals from 93 institutions responded for an overall response rate of 30%: 30 of 76 dental schools (39.5% response rate) and 63 of the 232 dental hygiene programs (27% response rate). All of the respondents (100%) reported that their institutions' full-time faculty members were assessed by students in course evaluations for each course and semester they taught. However, only 78% reported that their part-time faculty members were evaluated by students. Course evaluations were mandatory in 62% (n=58) of the responding institutions, with the remaining 38% (n=35) optional. Respondents indicated course directors received the evaluation results for purposes of annual review (n=73, 78%) and instructional review (n=70, 75%). Further investigation of the use and effects of student evaluations is needed to better understand their role in faculty assessment and other aspects of the administration of dental schools and dental hygiene programs.

Dental Students' Clinical Experience Across Three Successive Curricula at One U.S. Dental School.

As dental schools continue to seek the most effective ways to provide clinical education for students, it is important to track the effects innovations have on students' clinical experience to allow for quantitative comparisons of various curricula. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of three successive clinical curricula on students' experience at one U.S. dental school. The three were a discipline-based curriculum (DBC), a comprehensive care curriculum (CCC), and a procedural requirement curriculum plus externships (PRCE). Students' clinic experience data from 1992 to 2013 were analyzed for total experience and in five discipline areas. Clinic experience metrics analyzed were patient visits (PVs), relative value units (RVUs), and equivalent amounts (EQAs). A minimum experience threshold (MET) and a high experience threshold (HET) were set at one standard deviation above and below the mean for the DBC years. Students below the MET were designated as low achievers; students above the HET were designated as high achievers. The results showed significant differences among the three curricula in almost all areas of comparison: total PVs, total EQAs, total RVUs, RVUs by discipline, and number of high and low achievers in total clinical experience and by discipline. The comprehensive care approach to clinical education did not negatively impact students' clinical experience and in many cases enhanced it. The addition of externships also enhanced student total clinical experience although more study is needed to determine their effectiveness. The insights provided by this study suggest that the methodology used including the metrics of PVs, EQAs, and RVUs may be helpful for other dental schools in assessing students' clinical experience.