Undergraduate Course In Dentistry Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practices about oral cancers among dental students in H.P Government Dental College, Shimla-Himachal Pradesh.

Aim:The aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among undergraduate dental students about oral cancer.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among undergraduate dental students between the 3rd and 5th years in H.P Government Dental College, Shimla. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions, five each on knowledge, attitudes and practices. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., version 16 for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA).Results:The response rate of the study was 90.6%. There were 23 (21.5%) males and 84 (78.5%) females in the study. There was a predominance of females (78.5%). The average knowledge percentage for the entire population is 81.9% (excellent knowledge). Tobacco and alcohol were correctly identified by 63.5% of the subjects. Squamous cell carcinoma was described as the most common type of oral cancer by 105 (98.3%) of the students. 60.7% of the subjects strongly disagreed that their knowledge regarding the prevention and detection of oral cancer is current and adequate, and 99% agreed that there is a need for additional training/information regarding oral cancer. About 92.5% of the subjects used to educate their subjects about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol.Conclusion:The study implies that the knowledge, especially about the etiological factors of oral cancer needs to be reinforced throughout the undergraduate dental courses so that they can use the same in educating and motivating the masses to adapt healthy lifestyles.

Assessment of motivational factors and career aspirations of dental interns in Davangere city: A cross-sectional survey

Purpose: To assess the motivational factors and future career aspirations of dental interns. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 88 dental internees. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information regarding motivational factors in choosing dentistry as a career, future career plan, and students' attitude toward the profession. Chi-square test was employed to find the association between motivation factors and career aspirations among male and female interns. Results: The study results showed that majority of students (48.9%) were self-motivated (own interest) for choosing dentistry as a career and 31.8% had chosen dentistry due to parent's interest. About 28.4% chose dental profession as it has good job security and 27.3% of students for financial security. On completion of their undergraduate course in dentistry, 35.2% preferred to pursue postgraduation in India, 29.5% wanted to go abroad for further studies, and 6.8% desired to establish private practice. There was a marginal significant association between male and female study participants to join postgraduation as a career choice (P = 0.05). Majority (83%) of the study participants were happy with their dental profession and almost 72.7% of the study participants agreed that they have enough abilities to treat the patients. Conclusions: The study concludes that student's own interest, job, and financial security are the major reasons for pursuing a master degree. The reasons for choosing dentistry have important implications for the selection and training of students as well as for their future job satisfaction.

Practice effects in medical school entrance testing with the undergraduate medicine and health sciences admission test (UMAT)

BackgroundThe UMAT is widely used for selection into undergraduate medical and dental courses in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). It tests aptitudes thought to be especially relevant to medical studies and consists of 3 sections – logical reasoning and problem solving (UMAT-1), understanding people (UMAT-2) and non-verbal reasoning (UMAT-3). A substantial proportion of all candidates re-sit the UMAT. Re-sitting raises the issue as to what might be the precise magnitude and determinants of any practice effects on the UMAT and their implications for equity in subsequent selection processes.MethodsBetween 2000 and 2012, 158,909 UMAT assessments were completed. From these, 135,833 cases were identified where a candidate had sat once or more during that period with 117,505 cases (86.5%) having sat once, 14,739 having sat twice (10.9%), 2,752 thrice (2%) and 837, 4 or more times (0.6%). Subsequent analyses determined predictors of multiple re-sits as well as the magnitude and socio-demographic determinants of any practice effects.ResultsIncreased likelihood of re-sitting the UMAT twice or more was predicted by being male, of younger age, being from a non-English language speaking background and being from NZ and for Australian candidates, being urban rather than rurally based. For those who sat at least twice, the total UMAT score between a first and second attempt improved by 10.7 ± 0.2 percentiles, UMAT-1 by 8.3 ± 0.2 percentiles, UMAT-2 by 8.3 ± 0.2 percentiles and UMAT-3 by 7.7 ± 0.2 percentiles. An increase in total UMAT percentile score on re-testing was predicted by a lower initial score and being a candidate from NZ rather than from Australia while a decrease was related to increased length of time since initially sitting the test, older age and non-English language background.ConclusionsRe-sitting the UMAT augments performance in each of its components together with the total UMAT percentile score. Whether this increase represents just an improvement in performance or an improvement in understanding of the variables and therefore competence needs to be further defined. If only the former, then practice effects may be introducing inequity in student selection for medical or dental schools in Australia or NZ.

Evaluating Student's Perceptions of the Learning Environment in an Indian Dental School.

To evaluate student's perception of the learning environment in a private dental institute in India based on DREEM inventory. This cross-sectional study included students in all four years of the undergraduate dental course of Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Self-administered Dundee Ready Education environment Measure (DREEM) inventory consisting of 50-items on a five-point Likert scale was utilized to assess the students' perceptions regarding learning environment in this academic dental school. Comparison for the total and domain DREEM score means was carried out via independent t-test for dichotomous variables (gender) and ANOVA for more than two variables (year of study). Significant difference was noted for p < 0.05. The response rate for this study was 86.8%. Mean age of the study participants was 19.61 + 1.50 y. The overall DREEM score for this population was 125.24 + 21.10 reflecting a more of positive than negative education environment in this institution. When individual domain scores were accounted, except for the domain SAS, females had a higher mean scores for all domains which was however statistically significant only for the domains SPL (p = 0.03) and SPT (p = 0.01). Likewise, significant differences were also noted for SPL and SPT based on the year of study, wherein for both the domains, third year students had significantly higher mean scores and least was recorded for fourth year students. Correlation of the various domains demonstrated significant positive correlation among the domains. Overall this sample of dental students rated the learning environment in this dental institute as positive.

Management of impacted wisdom teeth: teaching of undergraduate students in UK dental schools

Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedures performed across the world. The aim of this study was to gauge the teaching and training of impacted wisdom teeth in undergraduate dental programmes across the UK. The objectives were to identify consistencies and variations in theoretical instructions and clinical training as well as approaches to management of impacted wisdom teeth. This was a cross-sectional survey utilising an online questionnaire. A purposefully designed pro forma with open- as well as closed-ended questions was used. The questionnaire was hosted online on the school's blackboard academic suite (Emily). Prior to conducting the study, approval was gained from the Research and Ethics Committee, and all the ethical principles pertaining to data protection were strictly followed. E-mail invitations were sent to oral surgery leads in all dental schools in the UK. The participants were provided with an information sheet, and an informed consent was obtained. The participants were invited by e-mail to complete the questionnaire online voluntarily. A total of 16 dental schools offering an undergraduate course in dentistry in the UK, 13 responded positively. (response rate=81.25%). In majority of dental schools, this subject is taught in the 4th and 5th years. A pre-clinical competency on phantom heads is a requirement in six schools, whilst only one school requires the students to pass a clinical competency. The clinical exposure of students to wisdom tooth surgery is quite variable. Although the dental schools are fairly consistent in their teaching with regard to the indications for surgical intervention, diagnostic/treatment modalities as well as the post-operative care, interesting variations were also observed. This study, perhaps the first of its kind, provides useful insights into management of impacted wisdom teeth, as taught in the undergraduate dental programmes across the UK.

Perception of Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Brazilian Dental Students

The aim of this study was to compare the mean scores of perceived risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders in dental students presently pursuing work/study, according to gender, course series, and the presence of pain/discomfort. The participants were 348 students from the undergraduate course in dentistry at a Brazilian public university. The instrument on work-related factors that could contribute to osteomuscular symptoms and part of the Nordic questionnaire were used. The psychometric properties of the first instrument were estimated. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that the instrument had a tri-factorial structure (s(2) retained: 62.72 percent). The retained factors were repetitiveness, work posture, and external factors. The internal consistency and reproducibility were adequate (α=0.746 to 0.873; p=0.729 to 0.940). Lower mean scores of perceived external factors were observed for the male participants, as well as lower scores in the three dimensions of the instrument for first-year students of the course and for those who did not report pain/discomfort in the neck, feet, and ankles. The authors concluded that the perception of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders reported in the work/study environment of dental students was significantly related to gender, the course series, and the presence of pain/discomfort.

Career in dentistry: By choice or chance-reasons for choosing dentistry among the first-year dental students of a college in India

Objective: To determine the factors that lead to the choice of dentistry as an occupation among the first-year dental students in a private dental college in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 100 first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of total eight close-ended questions, which included demographic (age and gender) and career choice-related items. Data was collected, analyzed, and was represented as numbers and percentage. Results: The response rate was 100%. Majority of the students (80%) chose dentistry as a professional career as compared to the 20% who got in by chance. About 72% of them chose dentistry because of their interest, 13% because they were unable to procure a seat in medicine and 10% due to family influence. Majority of them (85%) had undergone career guidance courses in school and were told about various career options. On completion of their undergraduate course in dentistry, 73% preferred to pursue post-graduation and 23% desired to establish private practice. Conclusions: The first years of A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore have chosen dentistry as a professional career mostly due to their personal interest and influence of family and friends.

Satisfaction of patients and students at the Integrated Clinics of a Dental School

Aim: The objective of this questionnaire-based research was to evaluate the level of satisfaction of students and patients at the School of Dentistry of the University of Passo Fundo (FOUPF). Methods: The questionnaire was administered after the patient’s care, as follows: first, the student explained the study purposes and methodology to the patient, the option of not participating and the full confidentiality of the information obtained. Patients were selected among those undergoing treatment at the Integrated Clinic I and II Disciplines (5th year of undergraduate dental course) between March and November 2010. Results: Satisfactory results were obtained, as most interviewed patients (49; 98%) considered the care given by FOUPF students as positive. Another important factor mentioned by patients was the use of individual protection equipment and biosafety measures adopted by the students; 98% (n = 49) of the patients affirmed that the students were properly wearing individual protection equipment. With regard to aspects that could be improved, 36.7% (n = 18) of interviewed patients mentioned the need to schedule appointments more than once a week, 12.2% (n = 6) felt the need to reduce waiting times for consultations, and 10.2% (n = 5) wanted to reduce appointment duration. As much as 98% of students (n = 49) declared being attentive to dentistry situations, 56% (n = 28) were satisfied with their technical aptitudes, and 96% (n = 48) mentioned enjoying helping patients. Conclusions: The care given to patients by FOUPF students is done well, not requiring significant changes.

An Overview of Teaching of Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth in Undergraduate Dental Courses

Objetivo: Verificar as abordagens terapeuticas endodonticas em dentes deciduos adotadas nas disciplinas de Odontopediatria dos cursos de graduacao em Odontologia no Brasil. Metodo: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, no qual foram enviados questionarios, por correio eletronico, aos coordenadores das disciplinas de Odontopediatria dos cursos de graduacao em Odontologia (N = 162), com questoes referentes as condutas terapeuticas adotadas nas pulpotomias e pulpectomias de dentes deciduos. Para analise dos dados, foram obtidas distribuicoes absolutas e percentuais, assim como tecnicas de estatistica descritiva. Resultados: Dos 162 questionarios enviados, 83 (51,2%) retornaram. Para a realizacao da tecnica da pulpotomia, o formocresol diluido foi o medicamento mais indicado (42,2%), o oxido de zinco e eugenol foi o material mais indicado como protecao do remanescente pulpar (54,2%) enquanto a resina composta foi o material restaurador escolhido para emprego definitivo em dentes anteriores (86,7%) e posteriores (77,1%). Para a realizacao da tecnica da pulpectomia, a solucao irrigadora mais usada foi o hipoclorito de sodio a 0,5% associado a outras substâncias (32,5%), a pasta Guedes-Pinto foi a substância mais usada como curativo de demora nos casos de biopulpectomia (24,1%) e o formocresol diluido nas necropulpectomias (28,9%). Para obturacao dos canais radiculares, a pasta Guedes-Pinto foi o material de escolha (55,6%). A guta-percha associada ao cimento de ionomero de vidro foi o material mais indicado (33,7%) como sub-base e base da cavidade apos obturacao dos canais radiculares. O emprego do isolamento absoluto para terapia endodontica e ensinado por 55 (66,2%) das instituicoes. Conclusao: A analise dos dados mostrou um consenso entre as condutas terapeuticas pulpares adotadas pelas instituicoes das diversas regioes, percebendo-se a tendencia na reducao do uso de medicamentos que agridem ao tecido pulpar e aumento do uso de substâncias biocompativeis.

Relationship of selection criteria to subsequent academic performance in an Australian undergraduate dental school

In 1998, in addition to previous academic achievement, an aptitude test (UMAT) and a structured interview were introduced into selection for the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), the undergraduate dental course at the University of Western Australia. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the combination of school-leaver dental students' entry scores, some demographic characteristics and subsequent student performance in the undergraduate course. Three hundred and ninety-eight school-leavers who enrolled in the BDSc from 1999 through 2011 were studied. Regression models were constructed comprising entry scores, gender and age as predictors in relation to subsequent academic performance. The main outcome measure was the weighted average mark (WAM) for each of five academic year levels as well as results in specific units, defined as either 'knowledge' based or 'clinically' based. Of the variables studied, previous academic performance and female gender had the strongest relationship with yearly WAM for Years 1 through 4 and for both 'knowledge' based and 'clinically' based units. The interview score showed a strong relationship in the major clinical years and in a range of 'clinically' based units. UMAT scores were less consistent in relationship to WAM. These results support assessment through a highly structured interview together with prior academic achievement as an evidence-based approach to selection of students for this undergraduate dental course.

Undergraduate courses in Dentistry: Teacher's Formation

Objective: analyzing the education of the dentist in the light of the teaching profession in six undergraduate courses in the state of Bahia. Methods: application of investigative questionnaire to dentists who exercise teaching and interviews with pre-designed itineraries, with leaders of the course in Dentistry of each institution. Results: It was verified that 74.5% of the dental professors graduated at the UFBA; 82.3% affirmed not being satisfactory a four-year length course to attend DCN recommendations, and 99% reported having coursed Integrated Clinics. As regards outreach activities, they were performed by 75.5% of professors during graduation period and only 39.7% declared having participated of any research activity as undergraduate student. It was verified that 98.5% of respondents took or are taking post-graduation studies and 83.8% owns master’s degree. Conclusion: analysis of collected data allowed us to conclude that the teaching of Dentistry in Bahia demonstrates adequate enough professional attention; the training teacher emphasizes the technical knowledge to the detriment of teaching methodologies; the poor expansion of dental care through the public net is opposed to the increase in the number of undergraduate courses, and that the emphasis on prevention and health promotion is limited, which shows the importance of integrating the technical dimensions of the ethical and humanistic attention to the DCN.

Inserção do aluno de odontologia no SUS: contribuições do Pró-Saúde

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a experiência da disciplina Ciências Sociais Aplicadas à Saúde (CSAS) da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (FO-UFMG). Em resposta às recomendações das Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para os cursos de graduação em Odontologia e do Programa Nacional de Reorientação da Formação Profissional em Saúde (Pró-Saúde), desde 2004, a FO-UFMG tem-se mobilizado para mudar seu currículo, dando atenção especial à diversificação dos cenários de aprendizagem. Em 2007, a disciplina de CSAS foi reformulada, permitindo a inserção dos discentes no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no início de sua formação profissional, quando a realidade e a prática do SUS são os objetos de ensino. Esse movimento reforçou as expectativas de que essa inserção é viável. Espera-se que as mudanças na disciplina funcionem como um projeto piloto, subsidiando outras iniciativas que destinem a uma maior aproximação dos estudantes com a prática profissional, e que sirva de parâmetro na organização e planejamento de outros conteúdos vinculados à saúde coletiva a serem incluídos na formação profissional.

A dimensão ética da formação profissional em saúde: estudo de caso com cursos de graduação em odontologia

This case study sought to delineate an overview of ethics training on Brazilian undergraduate dentistry courses, in order to gather knowledge related to the changes required with regard to training ethically competent health professionals. Thus, the scope of this study ethics training of students was defined by a conceptual reference, constructed at the interface of inter-related concepts. The reference also contributed to the outlining of this qualitative research, which includes a questionnaire with ethical-pedagogical questions, sent to the coordinators of 15 courses selected for the sample. The results indicated a timely commitment of the courses to the ethical dimension of professional training, as well as advances in training of teaching staff, the profile of the graduate and the curricular integration process. On the other hand, they highlighted deficiencies regarding the contents concerned with the cultural, humanistic and political background in relation to didactic orientation, the teaching-learning scenarios, the evaluation process, and also the incipient presence of bioethics regarding the subject and the crossover curricular theme, together with the lack of specific training of the teaching staff.

Simulation of medical emergencies in dental practice: development and evaluation of an undergraduate training programme

The evidence available suggests that many dentists on graduation do not feel competent managing medical emergencies; a problem requiring improved undergraduate training. This study developed a comprehensive simulation based training programme for final year undergraduate dental students and assessed student attitudes towards training. Final year dental students (n = 52) from The University of Melbourne were required to complete simulation training incorporating an interactive tutorial and realistic, simulated emergency scenarios conducted in the students' real clinical environment. A post-participation questionnaire utilizing a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) assessed student attitudes. Student responses supported simulation training, evidenced by the following selected questionnaire responses: achieved greater confidence in managing emergencies 4.65 ± 0.48 (n = 52); prefer lecture to simulation 1.46 ± 0.74 (n = 52); simulation training is important in undergraduate teaching 4.86 ± 0.35 (n = 43). Realistic simulation training in management of medical emergencies for dental students is an effective adjunct to traditional lecture style teaching. Given the importance of this subject, this mode of training would benefit students if incorporated into undergraduate dental courses.

O ensino da odontologia no Brasil: uma leitura com base nas recomendações e nos encontros internacionais da década de 1960

The study identifies the proposals regarding dental teaching in Brazil put forward in documents dating from the 1960s, to wit, the annals of the three Paho-sponsored seminars on dental teaching and a WHO Expert Committee report on dental hygiene. It can be noted that later recommendations about changes to the field in Brazil reveal tension between different actors and conceptions, not always understood by the area's professionals. It is concluded that recommendations aimed at innovations in dental teaching trace their development to this time and that most can be found in the Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais [National Syllabus Guidelines] for undergraduate courses in dentistry.

Estudo da legalidade do exercício profissional da Ortodontia por cirurgião-dentista não-especialista

OBJETIVO: tendo em vista o conflito existente, no Ordenamento Jurídico brasileiro, entre o princípio da legalidade e o princípio da dignidade da pessoa humana no que diz respeito à prática da Ortodontia pelo cirurgião-dentista não-especialista, este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a legislação e os julgados dos tribunais nesse assunto. MÉTODOS: realizou-se o levantamento da legislação referente ao ensino e à prática da Ortodontia no Diário Oficial da União e nos órgãos competentes. Com relação aos julgados dos tribunais, a pesquisa foi realizada nos Tribunais de Justiça e nos extintos Tribunais de Alçada de todos os Estados-membros da República Federativa do Brasil, bem como do Superior Tribunal de Justiça e do Supremo Tribunal Federal, utilizando as palavras-chave " Ortodontia" , " ortodôntico" e " ortodontista" . RESULTADOS: a legislação brasileira classifica os cursos de pós-graduação em stricto sensu e lato sensu, os quais possuem normas de funcionamento próprias. As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais determinam que, no curso de graduação em Odontologia, seja apenas ministrada a Ortodontia Preventiva. Os tribunais brasileiros entendem que, para a prática da Ortodontia Corretiva, é necessária habilitação em curso de pós-graduação. CONCLUSÃO: o curso de graduação em Odontologia é competente para o ensino da Ortodontia Preventiva; somente os cursos de pós-graduação stricto sensu e lato sensu são competentes para ensinar a Ortodontia Corretiva; é inconcebível a interpretação de que o legislador faculta ao cirurgião-dentista não-especialista praticar a Ortodontia Corretiva; e o cirurgião-dentista não-especialista só pode praticar procedimentos que estejam incluídos na categoria de Ortodontia Preventiva e Interceptiva.

Dentist’s training in Ceará dentistry courses

O presente estudo configura-se em uma pesquisa documental no ano de 2006, realizada nos cursos de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC e Universidade de Fortaleza – UNIFOR do Estado do Ceará. Procurou-se conhecer os projetos político-pedagógicos – PPP adotados para a formação do cirurgião-dentista nos cursos de graduação; relacionar a estrutura curricular anteriormente adotada nos cursos de graduação com as novas Diretrizes Curriculares propostas pela Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional – LDB/96 e identificar as mudanças ocorridas. Os documentos mapeados foram organizados e interpretados utilizando os seguintes tópicos: missão do curso, princípios norteadores, perfil profissiográfico, diretrizes curriculares e estrutura curricular. Constatou-se que os cursos de Odontologia estudados estão realizando suas reformas curriculares procurando se adequar às Novas diretrizes propostas, procurando adequar a formação dos seus profissionais para que atendam às necessidades de saúde da população.Os cursos aqui mapeados e analisados estão passando por um momento histórico de mudança na formação do cirurgião-dentista, enfrentando o desafio de sair de um modelo de ensino centrado no diagnóstico e tratamento das doenças para outro centrado na promoção e prevenção dessas doenças.

Contribution of Supervised Internship of the Federal University of Piauí to an interdisciplinary, social and humanistic education

As Diretrizes Curriculares do Curso de Graduação em Odontologia e a incorporação do cirurgião-dentista (CD) no Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) tornaram imprescindíveis mudanças e/ou adequações do ensino da Odontologia para adaptar o currículo do curso ao perfil do profissional exigido pelo mercado de trabalho. Muita ênfase tem-se dado à formação do CD com base social, econômica, política e cultural do Brasil, valorizando-se novamente o clínico geral. Dessa forma, estando a Universidade Federal do Piauí em um dos estados mais carentes do Brasil, durante o curso de Odontologia, tem-se buscado mostrar ao acadêmico as carências e as necessidades da população que será por ele assistida. As especialidades inseridas no Estágio Supervisionado (ES) se integram, na medida do possível, para que o paciente seja atendido como um todo, não individualizando cada uma das suas necessidades. Nesse contexto, os alunos do último período do curso são envolvidos em atividades intra e extramuros, para que tenham oportunidade de presenciar e vivenciar a realidade das comunidades.

Undergraduate dental course planning

Há importantes recomendações a serem trabalhadas na elaboração do Projeto Pedagógico, que é o planejamento do curso de graduação de Odontologia. Com o objetivo de adequação às Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais dos Cursos de Graduação em Odontologia, este Projeto deve ser claro na definição do perfil do graduando e coerente no trabalho das competências, habilidades e conteúdo. Pesquisas sobre ensino são destacadas para a reflexão sobre o Curso. As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais induzem a uma mudança paradigmática na formação do cirurgião-dentista como profissional da Saúde e enfatizam estratégias para a integração no ensino de Odontologia.

Occupational exposures occurring in students in a UK dental school.

Students whilst training may encounter a number of incidents where infection from patient body fluids may occur, especially as their manual skills are underdeveloped and their clinical experience is limited. (a) To assess the nature of the occupational exposures occurring to students in a UK dental school, (b) to assess the rate of reporting of incidents, and (c) to evaluate the association of various factors with these exposures. Students in the third, fourth and final years of the 5-year undergraduate dental course at the University of Birmingham were asked to complete a questionnaire that inquired into personal details, number and nature of incidents, their reporting and follow-up. A 100% response rate was achieved. Across the years, there was no significant correlation (p > 0.01) between sex, dominant hand, use of protective glasses or time of day. Slightly more exposures occurred in males, right-handed students, and in the afternoon. A significant decrease in exposures (p < 0.01) occurred within final year, and when an assistant was employed. Significantly more incidents occurred while a patient was being treated than during operational clean-up procedures. A substantial number of dental students had experienced one or more occupational exposures during training. Of these, percutaneous injuries predominated. Junior students appear to be more likely to experience exposures, and in these students, needlestick injuries are the most common source. To reduce the incidence of these exposures, more instruction and training may be required in the earlier clinical years and more chairside assistance. Improvements are required in the monitoring of post-screening for seroconversion after HBV immunization, and in the reporting of test results in the event of an exposure incident. Under-reporting of incidents is common and ways to encourage and facilitate reporting should be sought.