Freshman Dental Students Research Articles

Evaluating the use of HEIghten critical thinking assessment to monitor critical thinking in dental students.

Critical thinking and evidence-based dentistry are skills that dental students are required to demonstrate, but monitoring and quantifying progress can be challenging. This study is investigating whether the HEIghten critical thinking assessment (HCTA) could be used as a potential tool, both for use prior to admitting students, and to monitor whether the students' skills improve over their time at dental school. Freshman dental students (n=92) were given the HCTA during their first semester of dental school. Statistical analyses were then performed to examine the association of Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores (overall, perceptual ability, and total science) and Grade Point Average (GPA) (overall and science) on critical thinking scores (total, analytic, and synthetic). There was a significant positive association between GPA, DAT scores and critical thinking scores. Our results indicate that the HCTA may be a useful tool to enable monitoring of students analytical and synthetic skills throughout their time at dental school.

Teaching Dental Drawings for Freshman Dental Students and Its Correlation with Manual Dexterity.

To assess whether the implementation of teeth drawing exercises in a dental anatomy course improves first-year (D1) dental students' understanding of tooth morphology, their dexterity, and their clinical skills compared with D1s who did not participate in the drawing exercises. In 2020, a "Teeth Drawing Module" was implemented within the D1 dental anatomy curriculum. In this course, students learn how to draw accurate outlines of teeth. The students are required to complete two types of drawing projects. Illustrations and instructions of teeth drawings that are outlined in a manual drawing book, PowerPoint presentations, illustration videos, and assessments are provided. Students' grades in the drawing module, waxing skills assessments, and their didactic exams were used to evaluate and assess the correlation between their drawing aptitude and their manual skills. Students who took the drawing course were compared with students who did not take the drawing course to determine if the drawings improved students' understanding of tooth morphology, their dexterity, and their clinical skills. A comprehensive survey was also developed and distributed to students who had the drawing module in their curriculum. Students who participated in the drawing module were more successful in the dental anatomy course compared with students in the control classes. Classes that had drawing exercises scored significantly higher in all dental anatomy waxing exercises compared with classes that did not have drawing exercises (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between drawing and waxing scores (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between drawing and didactic scores (p < 0.001). Drawing exercises can be useful instruments for effectively representing and integrating the spatial domain of anatomical information. Teeth drawings as an adjunctive tool offer excellent visualization and allow students to improve their manual dexterity and knowledge in the dental anatomy course.

Assessment of radiology baseline knowledge of freshman North American dental students prior to any formal instruction.

There is a wide variation in the knowledge related to oral radiology. This study aims to assess the prior knowledge of radiology amongst freshman dental students prior to beginning any formal dental school instruction. A total of 139 newly matriculated freshman dental students were asked to complete a 7-question radiology, take-home survey regarding their prior knowledge. The questionnaire was built within their course site and was presented prior to beginning the radiology lectures. The responses were varied for all seven questions based on previous experiences and existing knowledge. Significant variation was noted in responses to Q4, Q6 and Q7 as opposed to Qs 1-3 and 5. Many students believed that the acquisition of radiographs should be selective. The acquisition of radiographs in pregnant women yielded comments in line with the belief that dose and frequency of radiation exposure would impact the health of the pregnant woman and developing foetus. Additionally, many students agreed with the statement regarding orthodontists over-radiating children as reported in the New York Times. Perceptions based on social media and news outlets need to be addressed and changed in a dental school setting based on evidence. Dental school instruction must use the cues from surveys similar to that used in this research and structure their instruction to increase the critical teaching of radiology. The eventual goal of such an instruction would be to have a scientifically accurate information and remove the perceptions that the students came with when they began their dental education.

Factors Affecting the Adjustment to College Life of Freshman Dental Hygiene Students

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the adjustment to college life of freshman dental hygiene students. Methods: A survey was conducted from June 21, 2021 to June 30, 2021, targeting 132 freshman dental hygiene students at three schools in Busan. The data were analyzed with the SPSS (Iindependent t-test, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear Rregression analysis) program. Results: School system, self-directed learning ability, and major satisfaction with their major were found to have had statistically significant effects on the adjustment to college life of freshman dental hygiene students. Conclusions: The higher the school system, self-directed learning ability, and satisfaction with their majors, the more greater the influence is on the students ability to adapt to college life adaptation.

Perceptions of freshman dental students regarding academic environment

Background: Quality of future dental workforce is passively determined by their perceptions to curriculum and academic environment. Aim: The aim of the study is to know the anticipations of the freshly joined dental students about their educational environment using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire and comparing it after the completion of the 1st year. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted in a private dental institute. DREEM questionnaire was given to 84 freshman students on the day of joining institute and after completion of 1 year. The Statistical Package for the Social Science, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for analysis of data, and 95% confidence interval was used for analysis of data. Mean and standard deviation were calculated. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare overall mean DREEM scores, subscales scores, and individual scores on two occasions. Level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Mean DREEM score on the first occasion was 147.8 and completion of the 1st year was 124.6 with a discrepancy of 23.2. Conclusions: Students have positive perceptions for their academic environment at the time of joining institute and after completion of 1 year in the institute with DREEM score obtained was above 101 (indicating more positive than negative environment) on both occasion.

Effectiveness of teaching International Caries Detection and Assessment System II and its e-learning program to freshman dental students on occlusal caries detection.

Objective:To assess the feasibility of teaching International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II and its e-learning program as tools for occlusal caries detection to freshmen dental students in comparison to dental graduates with 2 years of experience.Materials and Methods:Eighty-four freshmen and 32 dental graduates examined occlusal surfaces of molars/premolars (n = 72) after a lecture and a hands-on workshop. The same procedure was repeated after 1 month following the training with ICDAS II e-learning program. Validation of ICDAS II codes was done histologically. Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of ICDAS II severity scores were assessed before and after e-learning using (Fleiss's kappa).Results:The kappa values showed inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.53 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.70 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3) by undergraduates and 0.69 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.95 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3) by graduates. The inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.64 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.89 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3). No statistically significant difference was found between both groups in intra-examiner agreements for assessing ICDAS II codes. A high statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) in correct identification of codes 1, 2, and 4 from before to after e-learning were observed in both groups. The bias indices for the undergraduate group were higher than those of the graduate group.Conclusions:Early exposure of students to ICDAS II is a valuable method of teaching caries detection and its e-learning program significantly improves their caries diagnostic skills.

Evaluation of gingival bleeding awareness by comparison of self-reports and clinical measurements of freshman dental students.

Objective:The aims of this descriptive, cross-sectional investigation were to evaluate the gingival health awareness of dental students by comparing their clinical gingival bleeding scores and self-reports, and to compare differences in awareness between males and females.Methods:In total, 100 (51 males, 49 females) freshman dental students were included in the study. Periodontal indices recorded were: Presence of plaque percentage (plaque index [PI], %), percentage of sites of bleeding on probing (BOP, %), probing depth, and community periodontal index (CPI). Percent agreement, kappa agreement, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated by comparing their self-reported gingival bleeding and BOP%.Results:The self-reports of gingival bleeding exhibited statistically significant correlations with BOP% in females (r = 0.42, P = 0.003). Female students showed a higher degree of awareness when kappa agreement, 0.23 (males: 0.16, females: 0.39), sensitivity, 48% (males: 42%, females: 51%), and specificity, 95% (males: 90%, females: 100%) were calculated. Although male dental students had higher PI and CPI scores, there was no significant difference by gender in the clinical measurements.Conclusions:According to our results, the validity of self-reported gingival bleeding was higher among dental students than in previous population-based studies. Female dental students showed a higher degree of awareness than males of their gingival health. Half of the included dental students could not differentiate whether they had gingival bleeding when there was actual bleeding. More emphasis should be given to the education of dental students regarding the relationship between gingival bleeding and active periodontal disease.

Predictors of Health‐Promoting Behaviors Among Freshman Dental Students at Istanbul University

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the predictors of health-promoting behaviors among freshman dental students at Istanbul University. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 111 students using questionnaires including a sociodemographic section, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, the Health Value Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. The overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors among these students were at a moderate level, indicating that they engaged in health-promoting behaviors sometimes to often. They scored highest on the spiritual growth but lower on the health responsibility subscales. Females reported having engaged more in health responsibility behaviors and lower in physical activity than did males. Students from high-income families reported more physical activity. Significant correlations were found between overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, self-efficacy, health value, stress, and social support. Among all the related factors, self-efficacy was the most strongly predictive factor: it explained 61 percent of the variance in overall health-promoting behaviors. Thus, self-efficacy as a cognitive-perceptual factor should be considered by dental educators when planning educational interventions to promote students' healthy lifestyle.

Validation of an Instrument to Assess Evidence‐Based Practice Knowledge, Attitudes, Access, and Confidence in the Dental Environment

This article reports the validation of an assessment instrument designed to measure the outcomes of training in evidence-based practice (EBP) in the context of dentistry. Four EBP dimensions are measured by this instrument: 1) understanding of EBP concepts, 2) attitudes about EBP, 3) evidence-accessing methods, and 4) confidence in critical appraisal. The instrument-the Knowledge, Attitudes, Access, and Confidence Evaluation (KACE)-has four scales, with a total of thirty-five items: EBP knowledge (ten items), EBP attitudes (ten), accessing evidence (nine), and confidence (six). Four elements of validity were assessed: consistency of items within the KACE scales (extent to which items within a scale measure the same dimension), discrimination (capacity to detect differences between individuals with different training or experience), responsiveness (capacity to detect the effects of education on trainees), and test-retest reliability. Internal consistency of scales was assessed by analyzing responses of second-year dental students, dental residents, and dental faculty members using Cronbach coefficient alpha, a statistical measure of reliability. Discriminative validity was assessed by comparing KACE scores for the three groups. Responsiveness was assessed by comparing pre- and post-training responses for dental students and residents. To measure test-retest reliability, the full KACE was completed twice by a class of freshman dental students seventeen days apart, and the knowledge scale was completed twice by sixteen faculty members fourteen days apart. Item-to-scale consistency ranged from 0.21 to 0.78 for knowledge, 0.57 to 0.83 for attitude, 0.70 to 0.84 for accessing evidence, and 0.87 to 0.94 for confidence. For discrimination, ANOVA and post hoc testing by the Tukey-Kramer method revealed significant score differences among students, residents, and faculty members consistent with education and experience levels. For responsiveness to training, dental students and residents demonstrated statistically significant changes, in desired directions, from pre- to post-test. For the student test-retest, Pearson correlations for KACE scales were as follows: knowledge 0.66, attitudes 0.66, accessing evidence 0.74, and confidence 0.76. For the knowledge scale test-retest by faculty members, the Pearson correlation was 0.79. The construct validity of the KACE is equivalent to that of instruments that assess similar EBP dimensions in medicine. Item consistency for the knowledge scale was more variable than for other KACE scales, a finding also reported for medically oriented EBP instruments. We conclude that the KACE has good discriminative validity, responsiveness to training effects, and test-retest reliability.

Impact of Community‐Based Oral Health Experiences on Dental Students’ Attitudes Towards Caring for the Underserved

Dental students' attitudes towards access to dental care for the underserved may be impacted by participation in community oral health promotion programs that target individuals in underserved communities. At the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, freshman dental students provide classroom oral health promotion and preventive dental care programs to underserved elementary school children. One hundred forty-four freshman dental students were surveyed three times during their freshman year-before, during, and after participation in these programs. The students' attitudes about societal expectations, health professionals' responsibility, access to care, and students' personal efficacy to positively impact the need for expanded oral health care services for segments of the population were measured. Students reported positive attitudes in all categories throughout the study period. The students' attitudes about societal expectations to care for the oral health of the underserved remained stable over the study period, but they became more uncertain of who should be responsible for fulfilling that obligation, who should receive that care, and their capability to provide this care while in dental school. These changes in attitude may reflect the students' greater understanding of the complexity of the determinants of oral health as a consequence of their community education experiences.

Evaluation of an Audience Response System in a Preclinical Operative Dentistry Course

Student performance was compared on written and psychomotor skill tests of freshman dental students receiving conventional lectures versus the same lectures containing interactive components using TurningPoint, a wireless audience response system (ARS). The research design was a controlled crossover study with seventy-seven freshman dental students conducted in a preclinical operative dentistry course. Two randomized groups alternated the two study lectures, one with ARS and the other without ARS. Student knowledge retention was measured through written examination using immediate posttest, as well as questions on the unit and final examinations. Psychomotor skill tests were given on both lecture topics. Statistically significant differences indicating superiority of ARS were identified for performance on the immediate posttest and psychomotor skill test only for the lecture "Principles of Dental Bonding." The other examinations/skill testing showed no significant difference. These results indicate that ARS is a promising teaching tool for dental education.

An exploratory study on cultural variations in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values of freshman (first-year) dental students

To identify similarities and differences in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values among freshman dental students. Cross-cultural survey of dental students. 18 cultural areas. 904 first-year dental students completed the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) translated into their own languages. Individual areas were clustered by similarity in responses to the questions. The first group displayed an 'occidental-culture orientation' with the exception of Brazil (Cluster 1 comprised: Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and Brazil, Cluster 2: Germany, Italy, Finland and France). The second group displayed an 'oriental-cultural orientation' with the exception of Greece and Israel (Cluster 3 comprised: China and Indonesia, and Cluster 4: Japan, Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Greece). Australia and United Kingdom were the countries that were most alike. Ireland was the 'neighbour' to these countries. Greece and Malaysia had similar patterns of oral health behaviour although geographic conditions are very different. Although it was considered that in Hong Kong, occidental nations have affected the development of education, it remained in the oriental-culture group. Comparison with the data from the occidentals indicates that a higher percentage of the orientals put off going to the dentist until they have toothache (p < 0.001). Only a small proportion of the occidentals (8%) reported a perception of inevitability in having false teeth, whereas 33% of the orientals held this fatalistic belief (p = 0.001). Grouping the countries into key cultural orientations and international clusters yielded plausible results, using the HU-DBI.

An exploratory study on cultural variations in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values of freshman (first-year) dental students

An exploratory study on cultural variations in oral health attitudes, behaviour and values of freshman (first-year) dental students

A cross-cultural comparison of dental health attitudes and behaviour among freshman dental students in Japan, Hong Kong and West China

To clarify the differences in dental health attitudes/behaviour among freshman dental students. Cross-cultural differences. Japan, Hong Kong and West China. The original version of the Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioural Inventory (HU-DBI) was written in Japanese. After testing the validity of both English and Chinese versions, the original version of the HU-DBI was administered to 58 freshman Japanese dental students, the English version to 43 Hong Kong Chinese peers and the Chinese version to 39 West Chinese peers. Significant cultural differences were found for 16 items out of 20. The most striking result was that the Japanese students were more likely to have used a dye to see how clean their teeth were, compared to their Chinese peers (P<0.001). The Chinese students were less likely to have a belief that they could clean their teeth well without using toothpaste (P<0.001), whereas higher percentages of the Chinese students worried about having bad breath (P<0.001). A higher percentage of the Hong Kong students reported that they regularly checked their teeth in a mirror than did their West Chinese or Japanese peers (P<0.05). There were considerable differences in dental health attitudes/behaviour among freshman dental students in the three cultural groups.

A cross-cultural comparison of dental health attitudes and behaviour among freshman dental students in Japan, Hong Kong and West China

A cross-cultural comparison of dental health attitudes and behaviour among freshman dental students in Japan, Hong Kong and West China

A comparison of Web page and slide/tape for instruction in periapical and panoramic radiographic anatomy

Self-guided slide/tape (ST) and web page (WP) instruction in normal radiographic anatomy of periapical and panoramic images is compared using objective test performance and subjective preference of freshman dental students. A class of seventy-four students was divided into a group studying anatomy in periapical images using WP and a group studying similar ST material. In a modified cross-over design the groups switched presentation technologies to learn anatomy in panoramic images. Students completed self-administered on-line quizzes covering WP materials and conventional quizzes for ST material. Students also completed a voluntary survey. Mean quiz performance identifying matched anatomic features in PA (n = 26) and panoramic images (n = 35) was excellent (96.9%) and not different between image types (p = 0.12) or presentation technologies (p = 0.81). Students preferred WP for accessibility, ease of use, freedom of navigation, and image quality (p < .01). Student comfort level with the quiz formats of the two technologies was not different (p = 0.11). Students experienced a higher rate of mechanical and logistical problems with ST than with WP technology. While 71 percent of the students preferred WP technology, this preference appears to be related to ease of use and facilitation of flexible learning styles rather than improved didactic performance.

Human sciences in the first semester of the dental undergraduate course at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.

The first 9 weeks of the dental undergraduate education at the Karolinska Institutet comprises a transition course, designed to introduce students to university studies leading to professional qualifications in patient-related health sciences. 1 week has been set aside for the theme Man and Society, highlighting the importance of the human sciences for the development of behavioural skills necessary for achieving professionalism and a holistic patient concept. Some essential ethical questions are addressed: intercultural communication, empathy, professional demeanour and the development of professional competence, and group dynamics. In this context, more specific subjects are considered, such as the emergence of the multicultural society and its implications for health services, interpersonal skills and patient communication in the health and medical fields. There are several reasons for including this theme, which forms the basis for the ethical and communicative strands throughout the entire curriculum. As 30-40% of freshmen dental students are of non-Swedish origin, it is essential to include cultural awareness seminars. Another reason is that within the EU, cultural and communicative skills are recognised proficiencies for health professionals; it is also acknowledged that effective delivery of health care may be impeded by misunderstandings in communication and conflict in ethical beliefs. Group discussions are scheduled during the week in order to allow the students to discuss their own experiences related to the theme. The students are also given a written assignment in relation to one of the seminars; the report is assessed as a part of the examination. The week is concluded by a plenum discussion summarising the group discussions. To date, 4 course evaluations, with a response rate of 92.5%, show that 97.3% of the students were positive to the theme as a whole or to specific seminars held during the week, especially intercultural communication, ethics and empathy. The students also believe that the theme is of great importance for dental health professionals.

A computer program to aid in visual concept development in dentistry

Beginning dental students normally receive their first exposure to the study of tooth forms (morphology) through a dental anatomy laboratory course in which they are required to reproduce tooth morphology, usually with wax. The fabrication of a tooth in wax requires proper visual recognition skills and fine eye-hand coordination. Many students struggle with one or both of these. A computer program, designed to teach recognition concepts, was delivered to three groups of beginning freshman dental students in conjunction with their dental anatomy laboratory course while a group of their classmates served as the controls. This study investigated (1) instructional design and interface improvement and (2) the best method to implement the computer program. Experimental and control groups all received normal daily critiques of their course project work. After completion of the computer program, all groups were tested with a recognition-based examination as well as with a practical examination, requiring the reproduction of a tooth in wax. All experimental groups scored better than the control group on both examinations. Results indicated that computer-based instruction may be a useful means to foster visual concept development. An expanded program, using better graphics, animation and movies is currently under development.

A 10-year longitudinal study of untreated mucogingival defects.

A study was conducted to observe the changes in areas with untreated mucogingival defects over a 10-year period. The results in this group after 4 years were previously published. Upon entering dental school, a group of 39 freshman dental students were assessed for plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and width of keratinized gingiva in 112 sites of inadequate keratinized gingiva. Eighteen of the original 39 participants were reassessed for the same parameters in 64 sites after 10 years. The results revealed that 22 sites showed a slight increase in keratinized gingiva, 32 were unchanged, and 10 sites showed a slight decrease in keratinized gingiva. The mean width of keratinized gingiva at the beginning of the study was 1.73 +/- 0.542 mm and was 2.01 +/- 0.864 mm after 10 years. This represented a small, but statistically insignificant, increase in the width of keratinized gingiva. The Plaque Index and Gingival Index of this group at baseline and at 10 years indicated a high level of oral hygiene and gingival health. It was concluded that in the absence of gingival inflammation, areas with small amounts of keratinized gingiva may remain stable over long periods of time.

An Analysis of Abilities Underlying Early Periodontal Skill Development of Dental Students

Although a wide variety of underlying abilities important to dental skill learning have been investigated, there has been little agreement among dental researchers about which of these abilities are really significant. The purpose of this study was to discern if any of the commonly examined fine motor ability tests or any maturational characteristics were associated with early scaling and root-planing skills, which are dental skills used for treating gingivitis. One hundred twenty freshman dental students were subjected to a battery of maturational measurements and motor ability tests that other investigators had associated with dental skill development. This study suggests that the width of the wrist and the length of the first finger may be of some importance in the development of the early dental skills, scaling and root planing. However, most tests used in this study did not adequately explain the abilities underlying scaling and root-planing skills. Further studies should examine other abilities in relation to specific dental skills and the relationship of abilities to early and late skill development.