Final Year Students' Confidence to Commence Independent Dentistry: UQ Study

Objectives: Since 2005, University of Queensland students have 40 weeks of clinical placement before graduating. Due to extended semesters, students enter final year with a level of theoretical and clinical learning similar to those who graduated prior to 2005. A comprehensive 3 year- study is being undertaken to analyse the impact of an additional year of study on graduates in dentistry. The evaluations include variability in supervision, range and quantity of treatment items, size and location of clinics, balance of emergency and routine treatment, assignment and assessment methods. This component of the study examines the stages at which students acquire confidence and independence in their clinical skills during placement.

Methods: Students complete a self-analysis of their competencies at the end of each semester. Students use the assessments to plan their learning activities. For 25 items of clinical and non-clinical skills, students record if they are ready to graduate; would like more practice to be fully confident; or lack confidence.

Results: The results are presented for 2006 graduates. In semester two, 4 students felt that they were ready to graduate in all 25 items. Of the 10 items considered necessary for general practice 20% were confident in all 10 and 33% in 8 items. The levels of confidence for individuals and the class rose between first and second semester. However, confidence in either semester was not related to the number of cases the student treated overall or within each category. No minimum or optimum case load could be determined. This study is ongoing and is investigating other relationships.

Conclusion: In a final year having an overall ‘pass-fail' assessment it is considered valuable for students to undertake a personal evaluation of their skills and weaknesses prior to graduation. It is also a useful tool for designing an individual learning program.