ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental education has placed continued emphasis on self-regulated learning (SRL) and its subprocess, self-assessment. This study set out to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel workplace assessment method in developing trainees' self-assessment of operative procedures. METHODS: A Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) form was modified for the use and measurement of self-assessment. Participants were trained on how to conduct self-assessment using the designed assessment form and its grading rubric. Feedback and feedforward sessions were given to address self-assessment and performance issues. A P-value less than 0.10 was considered significant and the confidence level was set at 90%. RESULTS: Thirty-two Year 5 dental students with an age mean of 22.45 (SD = 0.8) completed five self DOPS encounters during the clinical operative dentistry module in 2022. The aggregated total deviation (absolute difference) between self-assessment and teacher assessment decreased consistently in the five assessment encounters with a significant mean difference and a medium effect size (P = 0.064, partial Eta squared = 0.069). Participants' self-assessment accuracy differed from one skill to another and their ability to identify areas of improvement as perceived by teachers improved significantly (P = 0.011, partial Eta squared = 0.099). Participants' attitudes towards the assessment method were positive. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the self DOPS method was effective in developing participants' ability to self-assess. Future research should explore the effectiveness of this assessment method in a wider range of clinical procedures.
Subject(s)
Clinical Competence , Educational Measurement , Humans , Educational Measurement/methods , Self-Assessment , Dentistry, Operative , WorkplaceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Er:YAG laser irritation on the roughness (Ra) value of Enamic surface (PICN) at different energy settings, and determine the optimal energy setting for a successful pre-treatment. METHODS: The study included 5 experimental groups (N.=8), including group A, untreated group (control); surface roughness of this group was measured with surface roughness tester (profilometer), then a total number of 32 PICN discs were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the treatment conducted, group B, hydrofluoric acid-etched (HF); group C, D, E in order (150, 250, 400 mJ Er:YAG laser-irritated); and roughness was measured by the same method applied to control group. Data were collected in microns (µm) and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc comparison tests (a=0.05). RESULTS: All of the treatments improved surface roughness because a significant difference was observed between group A and all other groups P<0.05, the highest mean roughness value was in group B and E, followed by group C and D. The post hoc test showed there was no statistical difference found between groups B and E. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of surface roughening, a conclusion can be made that irritating PICN inner surface with 400w Er:YAG can be an alternative pretreatment method to hydrofluoric acid.
