Introduction to treatment planning for first year dental students

Objective: Our current dental school curriculum emphasizes didactic basic and oral science instruction during the first year of dental school. Students begin discipline specific clinical rotations late in the first year and continue such rotations through the third year. Comprehensive care is introduced during the fourth year. Historically, students have had a myopic, discipline-oriented focus during their early training. To address this concern, introduction to comprehensive treatment planning was integrated into the first year curriculum. Methods: Students are provided 3 introductory lectures on treatment planning followed by small group treatment planning sessions. Treatment planning concepts are also applied during Problem-based Learning cases. Results: Students have demonstrated an improved understanding of treatment planning, including sequencing and prioritization of procedures, at the beginning of clinical rotations following the early introduction of the treatment planning curriculum. Student evaluation of the first year treatment planning exercises are positive. Conclusions: Early introduction of the treatment planning curriculum is associated with greater appreciation of comprehensive patient care.