The Undergraduate preparation of dentists: Confidence levels of final year dental students at the School of Dentistry in Cardiff

Gilmour, Alan, Welply, Angharad, Cowpe, Jonathan, Bullock, Alison Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3800-2186 and Jones, Rhiannon Jayne 2016. The Undergraduate preparation of dentists: Confidence levels of final year dental students at the School of Dentistry in Cardiff. British Dental Journal 221 (6) , pp. 349-354. 10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.686

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the self-reported confidence and preparedness of final year undergraduate students in undertaking a range of clinical procedures. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to final year dental students at Cardiff University, six months prior to graduation. Respondents rated their confidence in undertaking 39 clinical procedures using a 5-point scale (1 = can undertake on own with confidence, 5 = unable to undertake). Students also responded yes/no to experiencing four difficulties and to three statements about general preparedness. Results 71% (N = 51) responded of which 55% (N = 28) were female. Over half reported being 'anxious that the supervisor was not helping enough' (57%) and 'relying heavily on supervisor for help' (53%). Eighty percent 'felt unprepared for the clinical work presented' and gender differences were most notable here (male: 65% N = 33; females: 93% N = 47). Mean confidence scores were calculated for each clinical procedure (1 = lowest; 5 = highest). Confidence was highest in performing 'simple scale' and 'fissure sealant' (mean-score = 5). Lowest scores were reported for 'surgical extractions involving a flap (mean-score = 2.28)', 'simple surgical procedures' (mean-score = 2.58) and the 'design/fit/adjustment of orthodontic appliances' (mean-score = 2.88). Conclusions As expected complex procedures that were least practised scored the lowest in overall mean confidence. Gender differences were noted in self-reported confidence for carrying out treatment unsupervised and feeling unprepared for clinical work.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Cardiff Unit for Research and Evaluation in Medical and Dental Education (CUREMeDE) Dentistry Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:	0007-0610
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	15 September 2016
Date of Acceptance:	25 July 2016
Last Modified:	20 Nov 2024 15:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/94558

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