Impact of self-assessment on dental student's performance in pre-clinical conservative dentistry course.

BACKGROUND: Self-assessment (SA) is an interactive course that endorses the accomplishment of learning objectives through learners' identification of insufficiencies in their didactic knowledge and pre-clinical skills. This study was planned to determine whether there is any improvement in the faculty assessment (FA) score following the implementation of SA in the Pre-clinical Conservative Dentistry Course. METHODS: Fifty-four first-semester dental students were given an introductory lecture followed by a demonstration for Class I Cavity Preparation in typhodont mandibular first molar. At the end of the demonstration, the Scoring Rubric (SR) was explained point-wise in the prepared cavities. During the next session, all students performed Class I cavity preparation and they were given an assessment sheet to enter their scores (SA1). All teeth were evaluated by the Grading Faculties in a blinded manner (FA1). Each participant was explained the difference in their respective SA1 from FA1 and their queries were resolved individually. During the next sessions, Students and Grading Faculties followed the same protocol and scores were recorded as SA2, FA2, SA3 and FA3. RESULTS: The mean score of SA1 was significantly higher than that of FA1 (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was obtained between SA and FA in the second (p = 0.352) and third (p = 0.434) assessments. In contrast with first assessment, mean marks obtained in FA were higher compared to SA in both second and third assessments. There was a statistically significant improvement in mean marks obtained by the students over time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SA endorsed student-faculty communication and enhanced student's poise and technical skills in operative pre-clinical dentistry.

Interprofessional learning in a student-run dental clinic: The effect on attitudes of students in oral healthcare.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into change in attitudes held by students in oral healthcare about interprofessional learning and collaboration after one year of work in a student-run dental clinic (SRDC). Third- and fourth-year bachelor of dental hygiene students (n = 221) and first- and second-year master of dentistry students (n = 203) participated in baseline and follow-up measurements and completed 570 questionnaires. The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was used to measure changes in attitudes toward Interprofessional Education (IPE) during participation in the SRDC. To validate the questionnaire for the setting, professional groups, and wording of RIPLS, we performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Two modified subscales remained: "Teamwork & Collaboration" and "Negative Professional Identity." Mixed linear models were used to assess relationships between students' attitudes toward IPE and participation in the SRDC. Overall, the students had positive attitudes toward IPE. At baseline, the attitudes of the dental hygiene and dentistry students were almost equally positive. After one year, dental hygiene students demonstrated a significantly more positive attitude toward collaborative learning and teamwork than the dentistry students. Further research should investigate whether the positive attitudes impact behavior in professional practice.

The Viewpoints of Last-Year Dentistry Students of Shahid Beheshti University on the Application of Lasers as an Independent Credit in the Education of General Dentistry.

Introduction: Enhancing students' pragmatic skills as an enabling means brings about changes in their curriculum, which should be reconciled with the students' educational needs. Thus, this study seeks to examine the viewpoints of last-year dentistry students on the need for the instruction of laser application as an independent credit in the general dentistry curriculum. The findings of this study can help determine the educational priorities of students while providing and compiling their curriculum. Methods: This descriptive study was done on 91 last-year dentistry students of Shahid Beheshti University in a full census manner. The data collection tool was a fieldwork questionnaire, the validity and reliability of which were evaluated. To report the findings, frequency distribution, frequency percentage, and average tableaux were utilized. Results: Amongst the 91 participants, regarding the average figures of value assignment from 1 to 10 to respond to questions, the highest value was assigned to learning the side effects of lasers (7.99 ± 0.01) and the lowest value was assigned to learning about the history of lasers and light physics (4.53 ± 0.47). Conclusion: The findings indicate that students have a positive attitude toward the incorporation of an independent laser credit in their curriculum and thus the necessity of incorporating this credit in their curriculum can be posed.

Estudantes de Odontologia cotistas e o instrumental odontológico / Dentistry quota students and dental instruments

A Política de Cotas para o ensino superior no Brasil propõe a reserva de vagas para estudantes oriundos de escolas públicas, pretos, pardos, indígenas e de baixo poder aquisitivo. A aquisição do instrumental exigido no curso de Odontologia representa uma dificuldade para a permanência da maioria desses estudantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a experiência de cotistas em relação à aquisição e uso dos instrumentais e materiais para as aulas práticas de um curso de graduação em Odontologia. Foi realizada pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 16 estudantes de todos os anos do curso, de todas as modalidades de cotas segundo a Lei 12.711/2012, escolhidos de forma aleatória. O tratamento dos dados baseou-se na modalidade temática da Análise de Conteúdo, de onde emergiram três categorias: "Inclusão", "Exclusão" e "Discriminação". O apoio da comunidade universitária, família e colegas figura como mecanismo de inclusão, por favorecer a permanência desses estudantes, assim como o programa de empréstimo de instrumental a estudantes de baixa renda dessa Universidade. Por outro lado, o programa também foi considerado fator de exclusão por não oferecer todo instrumental solicitado e alguns apresentarem baixa qualidade. Os entrevistados relataram sofrer discriminação, por pequena parte dos professores, e se sentirem excluídos quando utilizam instrumentos fora do padrão exigido. O desafio para a instituição pesquisada é garantir as adequadas condições materiais para o aprendizado desses estudantes, propor estratégias para a melhoria do programa de instrumental e implementar ações visando à capacitação docente (AU).

The Quota Policy for higher education in Brazil proposes to reserve vacancies for black, brown and indigenous students from public and lowincome schools. The acquisition of the required instruments in the dentistry course represents a difficulty for the permanence on the course for most of these students. The objective of this study was to understand the experience of quota students regarding the acquisition and use of instruments and materials for the practical classes of an undergraduate course in dentistry. Qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 16 students chosen at random from all years of the course, and from all quota groups according to Law 12.711 / 2012. The treatment of the data was based on the thematic modality of Content Analysis, from which three categories emerged: "Inclusion", "Exclusion" and "Discrimination". The support of the university community, family and colleagues appears as an inclusion mechanism, as it favors the permanence of these students, as well as the instrumental loan program for low-income students of this University. On the other hand, the program was also considered an exclusion factor because it did not offer all the requested instruments and some were of low quality. Respondents reported being discriminated against by a small number of teachers and feeling excluded when using non-standard instruments. The challenge for the researched institution is to guarantee the adequate material conditions for the education of these students, to propose strategies for the improvement of the instrumental program and to implement actions aiming at teacher development (AU).

Criterios de los estudiantes extranjeros en torno a su integración al proceso docente-educativo / Criteria of the foreign students regarding their integration to the teaching-educational process

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de los 7 estudiantes extranjeros que matricularon en la Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad Médica de Santiago de Cuba durante el curso escolar 2010- 2011, relacionado con los criterios en torno a su integración al proceso docente-educativo, con vistas a precisar algunas opiniones sobre su formación profesional, particularmente en el área clínica y la residencia estudiantil, incluyendo los valores que, a su juicio, contribuyen a desarrollar la estrategia educativa de la carrera. Todos los alumnos consideraron que presentaban una formación satisfactoria; casi la mitad de ellos refirieron sentirse bien en el área de beca y que participaban en las actividades culturales, deportivas y sociales programadas por la Federación Estudiantil Universitaria, de manera que existe una integración adecuada de estos educandos al proceso docente educativo.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study on the criteria around the integration to the teaching-educational process of the 7 foreign students who were registered in the Stomatology Faculty of the Medical University from Santiago de Cuba was carried out during the course 2010-2011. It was aimed at specifying some opinions on their professional training, particularly in the clinical area and the student residence, including the values that, in their opinion, contribute to develop the educational strategy of the career. All the students considered that they had a satisfactory training; almost half of them referred to feel well in the scholarship area and that they participated in the cultural, sport and social activities programmed by the University Students Federation, so that an appropriate integration exists from these students to the teaching educational process.

El estudiante de estomatología y su esfuerzo en el aprendizaje / The student of Stomatology and its effort in learning

Para que los alumnos sean capaces de enfrentar las diferentes tareas que la facultad les plantea es necesario que asuman un papel activo en el desarrollo de todas las actividades. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con el objetivo de caracterizar el proceso de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primer año de la carrera de Estomatología del Policlínico Universitario Hermanos Ruiz Aboy, perteneciente al municipio San Miguel del Padrón, La Habana, en el periodo de septiembre de 2008 a febrero de 2009. El universo estuvo constituido por los 30 estudiantes de primer año de la carrera de Estomatología. A estos se les aplicó una encuesta por los autores. Se observó que el 63,3 por ciento obtuvo el ingreso a través del preuniversitario en el campo, el 60 por ciento escogió la carrera por vocación y a su vez fueron estos los que mejores resultados académicos obtuvieron, y el 40 por ciento mantenía un buen hábito de estudio con un buen rendimiento académico además. Se concluyó que más de la mitad de los estudiantes ingresados obtuvieron la carrera por vocación y que fueron estos los que mejores resultados académicos alcanzaron. Los que ingresaron a la carrera a través del preuniversitario en el campo y los del curso de superación integral fueron los que presentaron peor hábito de estudio(AU)

The student must to be able to face the different tasks that Faculty pose, thus it is necessary that they play an active role in the development of all activities. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted to characterize the learning process of the first year students of Stomatology career from the Hermanos Ruiz Aboy University Polyclinic of San Miguel del Padrón municipality. La Habana from September, 2008 to February, 2009. Universe included 30 students of first year of Stomatology career who were polled by the authors. The 63,3 percent was admitted by means of the countryside high school, the 60 percent choosed the career by vocation and at its turn were they with the best academic results achieved and the 40 percent also remains the study habit with a good academic performance. We concluded that more than a half of entered students had vocation for the career with the best academic results. Those entered to career through the countryside high school and those from the integral overcoming had the poor study habit(AU)

El estudiante de estomatología y su esfuerzo en el aprendizaje / The student of Stomatology and its effort in learning

Para que los alumnos sean capaces de enfrentar las diferentes tareas que la facultad les plantea es necesario que asuman un papel activo en el desarrollo de todas las actividades. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con el objetivo de caracterizar el proceso de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primer año de la carrera de Estomatología del Policlínico Universitario Hermanos Ruiz Aboy, perteneciente al municipio San Miguel del Padrón, La Habana, en el periodo de septiembre de 2008 a febrero de 2009. El universo estuvo constituido por los 30 estudiantes de primer año de la carrera de Estomatología. A estos se les aplicó una encuesta por los autores. Se observó que el 63,3 por ciento obtuvo el ingreso a través del preuniversitario en el campo, el 60 por ciento escogió la carrera por vocación y a su vez fueron estos los que mejores resultados académicos obtuvieron, y el 40 por ciento mantenía un buen hábito de estudio con un buen rendimiento académico además. Se concluyó que más de la mitad de los estudiantes ingresados obtuvieron la carrera por vocación y que fueron estos los que mejores resultados académicos alcanzaron. Los que ingresaron a la carrera a través del preuniversitario en el campo y los del curso de superación integral fueron los que presentaron peor hábito de estudio(AU)

The student must to be able to face the different tasks that Faculty pose, thus it is necessary that they play an active role in the development of all activities. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted to characterize the learning process of the first year students of Stomatology career from the Hermanos Ruiz Aboy University Polyclinic of San Miguel del Padrón municipality. La Habana from September, 2008 to February, 2009. Universe included 30 students of first year of Stomatology career who were polled by the authors. The 63,3 percent was admitted by means of the countryside high school, the 60 percent choosed the career by vocation and at its turn were they with the best academic results achieved and the 40 percent also remains the study habit with a good academic performance. We concluded that more than a half of entered students had vocation for the career with the best academic results. Those entered to career through the countryside high school and those from the integral overcoming had the poor study habit(AU)