Mathching Student Personality Types and Learning Preferences to Teaching Methodologies

A formidable challenge to reform in dental education has been overcoming the resistance to recommended changes by faculty and administration. The organizational structure of dental institutions, with their independent departments, makes obtaining consensus on educational issues difficult. For beneficial change to occur, clear evidence of the benefits to all with the organization must be presented.

Objectives: 1) identify the most common personality types among first and second-year undergraduate dental students at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, 2) identify the learning preferences of these personality types, and 3) determine the most effective approach to teaching clinical dentistry based upon student personality types and learning preferences.

Methods: In 2003, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) was administered to first and second-year dental students at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston.

Results: Four common personality types were identified among respondents: ISTJ, ESFJ, ESTJ, and ISFJ, with a predisposition for sensing (desire for facts; use of senses) and judging (prefers decisiveness, closure). Specific clinical curricular techniques that would appeal to these common personality types were identified and an explanation of their benefits was explained. A follow-up study could include administering the MBTI® to clinical faculty to compare with student results. Future activities include student and faculty seminars and focus groups on personality types and associated learning/teaching preferences.

Conclusions: Results of this study demonstrate the importance of faculty acknowledging the differences of student personality types and related learning preferences as a way to initiate change to and improvement of undergraduate dental education. Faculty must acquire an appreciation for these personality and learning preferences and incorporate effective teaching methods that promote student motivation and allow for an expression of preferences.