Dental Career Research Articles

Effectiveness of error-based active learning compared to conventional lecture-based method among undergraduate dental students: A randomized controlled trial.

Dental education assumes an indispensable role in adequately equipping students for a successful career in dentistry. Error-based active learning, an innovative approach in dental education, is a combination of mistake-driven learning (MDL) and case-based learning (CBL) to provide a transformative learning atmosphere for students. While active learning has gained popularity in dental education, the effectiveness of error-based active learning remains unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of error-based active learning among final-year dental undergraduate students in comparison with the conventional lecture-based approach. A parallel-arm single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in a dental institute in India from November 2022 to December 2022. A total of 74 students were randomly allocated to two groups: Group A (n = 37) received error-based active learning and group B (n = 37) received conventional lecture-based learning approach. Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) was chosen as the topic for the study. The knowledge of students was assessed at three intervals: baseline, post-intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention, using a self-designed and validated questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 and a content validity ratio of 0.84. A standard survey questionnaire was employed to evaluate students' perceptions of the teaching methods. Error-based active learning group outperformed the lecture-based group significantly in the post-intervention test (20.92 ± 1.42 vs 16.97 ± 3.06), with better knowledge retention (18.30 ± 2.02 vs 14.05 ± 4.26) and positive feedback from the students. The error-based active learning approach proved superior to the conventional lecture-based method in enhancing and retaining knowledge regarding ART.

Factors Associated with the Perception of Prehospital Internship Training of Dental and Other Health Sciences Students in the COVID-19 Context

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pre-internship training of Health Sciences students took on an essential role. The shift to virtual practices and a project-based learning approach brought challenges, but also opened doors for adaptation and learning in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. To determine the factors associated with the perception of Peruvian health sciences students during the period of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their training prior to hospital internship. A Cross-sectional analytical study was performed. Students from professional schools of health sciences who entered the hospital internship 2022 and students from the year prior to the internship from a Peruvian public university were evaluated. Data collection was performed with a 49-question questionnaire. Female participants were more prevalent with 384 (70.98%) students while the medical career had the highest participation with 152 respondents (28.1%) followed by the dental career with 134 (24.77%). In the adjusted logistic regression model no influence of associated factors on students' perception of their preparedness for hospital internship in the isolation period due to the COVID-19 pandemic was found. Peruvian Health Sciences students self-perceive themselves prepared for hospital internship in Comprehensive Care, Prevention, Collaboration and Self-Learning, but less so in Practical Skills, Understanding Science, Interpersonal Skills and Confidence.

Enjoying the journey

Clementine Rees Brown speaks to Alice Brewster as she ponders all she has learned during her dynamic career in dentistry and social media.

A trainee's passion!

Rebecca Silver sits down with Sarah Anuyah, a trainee dental nurse to hear her thoughts on dentistry and a future dental career.

Dental career pathways in Australia: an overview of dentistry down under

What are the available career pathways in dental surgery in Australia?

Importance of ergonomics applied to dentistry in clinical students of the dental career of the University of Chimborazo

Introduction: the implementation of ergonomic principles in the field of dentistry is beneficial for the personnel, assistants and patients, since it helps to facilitate an efficient and well-coordinated way of working, with costs that are adjusted to the objectives and needs of each of the parties involved. Objective: to identify the main ergonomic risk factors of the students of the Dental Care Unit of the UNACH.Method: this is a cross-sectional study, with a descriptive type of research, with a quantitative-qualitative approach and observational modality on the part of the researcher. The population is 120 students of the dental care unit of clinics I and IV of the National University of Chimborazo in the period October - March 2019 to 2020. We proceeded with the application of a survey using as an instrument a questionnaire of questions, this questionnaire was designed with the specific focus of inquiring about the knowledge about ergonomic risks.Results: showed that, in spite of an acceptable knowledge, the working postures registered are mostly incorrect, which is reflected in the reported discomfort, mainly at the back level. As a contribution to the analysis, the ergonomic risk prevention protocol developed as a result of the study focused on body positions, work tools and personal protective equipment. Its implementation is aimed at improving work comfort, reducing stress and reducing injuries derived from incorrect postures during clinical interventions

Why are More Women Choosing a Career in Dentistry in Nepal?

Dentistry is a very compassionate field, making it perfect for anybody who wishes to assist others. Dentistry has always been a male-dominated field, but in the last two to three decades more and more women have started going to dental college, and the percentage of women in dentistry has been gradually increasing. There are now more women dentists than ever, and at present women graduates in dentistry outnumber men. Female dentists may find it difficult to strike a healthy work-life balance, but many of them do it with success. Given their intelligence, creativity, and resourcefulness, women are all powerful forces to be reckoned with. They serve as role models and aid others in successfully pursuing careers in dentistry. The behavioral mecha- nisms behind the choice of career differ between men and women, and the inclination to care for others is thought by some to be more present in women than it is in men. This article discusses the reasons that lead more and more women to choose dentistry as a profession in Nepal.

Essential non-clinical skills and training required by dentists in South Africa

Dentists possess clinical experience garnered within supervised clinical settings, primarily aimed at diagnosing, treating and preventing oral cavity related diseases.1 Undergraduate dentistry training mostly focuses on the scientific underpinnings of this discipline and building clinical experience, not allowing adequate time for additional coursework.1 According to Haslach et al.2, dentists choose dental careers because they want to help and work with people, as well as desire job and financial security. The current economic downturn has led to a revenue plunge for many independent dental practices, attributed partially to less per capita patient expenditure.3 In response, patients have increasingly embraced preventative measures over more costly procedures, seeking to minimise expenses.4 The global financial crisis further underscores the value of leadership development, given its potential impact on the efficacy of clinic leaders.

Dentists of tomorrow 2023: An analysis of the results of the ADEA 2023 survey of U.S. Dental School Seniors.

This study examines the journey of U.S. dental schools' predoctoral senior class of 2023, from the influences on and their motivations to pursue careers in dentistry, the aspects of their dental school experiences, plans upon graduation, and the investment in their careers. This study is an analysis of the results of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) survey of Dental School Seniors, 2023 Graduating Class. Forty-eight percent of senior students from 65 accredited U.S. dental schools in the 2022-2023 academic year responded to the ADEA survey. Whenever feasible, the class of 2023 survey respondents' answers were compared with those of their 2018 counterparts and with the responses of 2023 predoctoral senior students of historically underrepresented race and ethnicity (HURE) groups. The analysis revealed that 47% of the 2023 respondents decided to become a dentist before going to undergraduate college, more than the proportion of their 2018 colleagues (44%). When it comes to preparedness to practice dentistry, the responses indicated a high level of readiness to go into the profession. Ninety percent of respondents agreed and strongly agreed with the preparedness to practice statements indicated in the 2023 ADEA survey. Between 2018 and 2023, the share of survey respondents who planned to join a private practice immediately after graduation increased from 48% to 53%. More than one-third (34%) of the 2023 respondents and 40% of HURE participants who planned to go into private practice immediately upon graduation intended to join a dental service organization (DSO). When accounting for inflation, the average education debt for students graduating with debt who responded to ADEA 2023 survey was 12% lower than what the 2018 respondents reported. This study finds that some preferences changed between the 2018 and 2023 cohorts, the latter being more likely to decide to go to dental school before college and join a DSO private practice upon graduation. Senior students responding to the ADEA 2023 survey stated a high level of preparedness to practice dentistry.

Set yourself up for a successful dental career.

Set yourself up for a successful dental career.

Journey towards a dental career: the career decision-making journey and perceived obstacles to studying dentistry identified by London's secondary school pupils and teachers.

Objective To explore the career decision-making journey towards dentistry and identify possible challenges and supports in this process as perceived by academically able, science-minded, London school pupils and their careers teachers.Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted using a purposive sample of London schools. Focus groups (n = 13) with 91 pupils aged 14-18 years and a survey of career teachers (n = 12) were conducted at a range of school-types. A topic guide, informed by the literature and previous research, guided discussions. Ethical approval was obtained from King's College London Research Ethics Committee (BDM/10/11-17 and 14/15-40). School, teacher, parental and pupil written informed consent were obtained. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically using framework methodology.Results Four distinct phases of the career decision-making journey were identified: 1) initiation of aspiration, with wider influences promoting medicine as a primary aspirational career option; 2) exposure to dentistry as a career, leading to recognition of dentistry as an alternative; 3) exploration of the career; and 4) the application process. Dentistry received little early consideration in this process. Greater representation of dental professionals within the school, access to work experience, and support in the student application process were identified as possible supports.Conclusions The findings suggest a four-phase journey towards a dental career, which may be enhanced by engagement of dental professionals at each stage. This may be particularly helpful in widening participation from under-represented groups.

Owning your career

Clementine Rees Brown talks to practice owner Polly Bhambra to discuss the surprising path to her career in dentistry.

Memoirs of a Dentist, Soldier, Administrator, the New NDA and an Educator.

My military and dental career started when I won the Dental Cadetship, a scholarship scheme of the Nigerian Army in October 1967 to read Dentistry at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba (CMUL). Suddenly, the Nigerian Civil War started and I had to undergo my basic military training at the Army Depot, Abeokuta. I completed my dental training in June 1972. I was in the second set of Dentists graduated from CMUL and the first Odogbolu dentist.

Locum nursing: a career game-changer!

Dental Nursing talks to Caroline Knowles and Lori Coutts-Poole who detail their inspiring dental career paths.

Does the early bird catch the worm? Tick box culture and precocious teaching qualifications for aspiring specialty trainees

Progression up the dental career ladder into dental specialty training is notoriously tough, with rising numbers of applicants and the introduction of national recruitment creating fierce competition for training places. This paper explores the emerging tick-box culture surrounding specialty recruitment applications and the issues accompanying precocious portfolio point-seeking, with a particular focus on recognised postgraduate teaching courses.

Early Detection of Cancer using Machine Learning (ML) Techniques

Early detection of cancer sickness leads to rapid treatment, reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of oral cancer continues to be a challenge for dental careers, particularly in the location, evaluation, and review of early-stage oral disease. Due to the lack of optimal analysis using conventional methods, oral cancer is identified and grouped using AI at an early stage. AI techniques are used to show the movement and treatment of dangerous locations and may accurately predict future disease effects. AI techniques are used to show the movement and treatment of dangerous locations and may accurately predict future disease effects. A combination of expert AI and highlight determination calculations produces improved results in the early detection and forecast of oral cancer. The main goal and commitment of this audit study is to summarize the use of AI technologies for accurate early prediction of oral malignant development.

Vertical asymmetry of the condyle and mandibular ramus measured by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Mandibular asymmetries can be defined as morphological variations that indicate disproportion in its size, shape or position between the right and left side. In Ecuador there are no investigative contributions on the vertical symmetry of the condyle and mandibular ramus despite its importance and its affordable diagnosis through panoramic radiography. For this reason, the importance of this study is evident, for which Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) was used from adult patients from the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Cuenca of the seventh cycle of the dental career, in which a higher prevalence of mandibular asymmetries is evidenced in the female gender and in Class II skeletal type patients. Through the Habets method, it was possible to determine the index of vertical asymmetries, concluding that there is a higher index of vertical asymmetries in the condyle, followed by asymmetry in the ramus, and finally, with a lower percentage, the total asymmetry of the condyle and ramus.

Tooth carving exercise as a foundation for future dental career – A review

The curriculum of the bachelors of dental surgery has been intricately weaved with the exposure to appropriate theoretical and practical skills at the right age. This enables the students to develop proper dexterity toward using more complex instruments as the students reach final year. Learning tooth carving in the 1st year of the course curriculum serves as a vital step in establishing this dexterity. This review brings about different clinical applications of learning carving and its role in the dental curriculum.

Dental Plaque: Bacterial Shenanigans Above and Below the Gumline

Every morning and every night you clean your teeth. Your dentist tells you to do it, your family does it, and even your pets might do it using a special food or toy. Cleaning is done to remove dental plaque that accumulates over time on teeth, above and below the gumline. What is dental plaque and why is it important to remove? In this article, we provide an overview of dental plaque: what it is and why it forms, how dental plaque can hurt your teeth and gums, and what you can do to protect your teeth and gums. We hope this article inspires you to keep up with your own oral health and perhaps encourages you to consider a career in dentistry or the oral health sciences.

Study of connection with the collectivity of dentistry of the Catholic University Of Cuenca

Linking with the community is one of the institutional strengths of social transformation and practical learning for future professionals who are trained in the career of dentistry, for this we intend to determine the target market to which the dental services of the Catholic University of Cuenca can be oriented, identifying the most unprotected groups and lower middle economic status that cannot access dental services because of their poverty, For this purpose, a qualitative methodology will be used, with a descriptive approach, because it will determine the areas or sectors of the canton of Cuenca that need dental intervention in different specialties, the market study allowed to identify the most important requirements that the identified population needs, these are education in dental health, prophylaxis and in greater percentage dental surgery among other needs. The market study is a type of research or tool used to guarantee or optimize the decision-making process and to envision the outlook of the dental career in terms of pre-professional practices and community service, creating a permanent link between the university and society.