Assessment of the perceived communication competence of senior undergraduate dental students: A study of the quality of data and orders written in prosthodontics' laboratory forms

Abstract

Background: Although principled responsibilities are on dentists to prescribe and communicate prosthodontics information and requirements to dental technician, studies reveal a lack of communication. Moreover, skills and techniques that students develop during their clinical education are profoundly become attitudes. Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to inspect and observe the quality of prosthodontics instructions and information submitted for both fixed and removable prosthodontics cases immediately at the end of each students' clinical session. Methods: Research ethical committee approved this study. A paper-based examination designed to find out the quality of instructions and nature of information. A self-structured questionnaire was constructed which included general data; year of study, age and gender of the dental student, information of the case type itself, and the clarity and correct instructions. Written instructions and the drawings were categorized as satisfactory and clear, a guide, unsatisfactory and poor, and none, outcome of treatment recorded at the delivery/cementation appointments. Results: Only 36.5% of the whole study samples were satisfactory and clear. Moreover, 37.4% were considered as a guide, 22.8% were unsatisfactory and poor, and 3.3% were without instructions. There was a statistical significance difference between the groups. Results showed that only 42.3% of prosthodontics cases approved on the intended day for delivery and/or cementation with minor adjustments. Nearly 14.6% rejected and unapproved (Redo). Only 9.75% of written information indicated disinfection. Conclusion: This study indicates weakness in communication between senior dental students (SDSs) and the laboratory dental technicians. SDSs are not competent in writing prosthodontics forms. The significance of acceptably completing the forms must be stressed throughout students' education.