The role of the dental therapist has evolved over the course of the past 70 years, both in the UK and across the globe. The General Dental Council's Scope of practice guidance sets out the skills and abilities of each of the professional roles within the dental team, including the dental therapist. Scope of practice of the multidisciplinary team remains poorly understood, to the detriment of teamworking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Take home, or open-book, examinations (OBE) are designed to be completed at a location of student choice, whilst providing comprehensive assessment of learning outcomes. Supporters of OBE refer to their authenticity, in that they reflect real-world practice where use of external resources is routine and encouraged. A contrasting view is that efficient practice requires a solid base of knowledge upon which to draw.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors describe their personal experience of responding to changing perceptions of best practice and the expanding evidence base, in relation to assessment and feedback in dental education. Changes at a particular dental school over the years are described, along with a more general outlook, culminating in suggestions for future directions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Concerns regarding the preparedness of dental graduates often focus on the number of procedures undertaken before qualification.Aims To assess the validity of numerical requirements in determining whether a student has sufficient competency to graduate.Materials and methods In total, 50,821 observations of student activity while on the restorative clinic, for two integrated student cohorts (n = 139), were continuously recorded using the LiftUpp system from their third year to graduation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims To establish what work a sample of Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) registrants were undertaking and understand what had facilitated or impeded them from finding suitable employment as dentists. Method An online questionnaire, consisting of both closed and open questions, was used to capture data from a population of 1,106 former ORE candidates who passed the examination between 2009 and 2014 and were registered by the General Dental Council (GDC). The data were analysed and presented in the form of tables, figures and a presentation of the major themes that emerged from the responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Implant treatment to replace congenitally missing teeth often involves multidisciplinary input in a secondary care environment. High quality patient care requires an in-depth knowledge of treatment requirements.Aim This service review aimed to determine treatment needs, efficiency of service and outcomes achieved in hypodontia patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Overseas Registration Examination is a route to entry to the UK Dentists Register for dentists who have qualified outside the European Economic Area. The role of the examination is to protect the public by ensuring that such dentists meet minimum standards of competence. Candidates invest considerable time and resource in attempting the examination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study describes a pilot project in which peer assisted learning (PAL) is used to teach dental clinical skills. A cluster randomised controlled trial compared opinions of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students from peer-led groups versus staff-led groups in a clinical (impression taking) and a pre-clinical (handpiece skills) task. BDS5 (peer tutors) in their final year delivered teaching to BDS1 (tutees) for each task.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper explores the implications of the Francis Report for education of the dental team. It considers selection of candidates for training, issues relating to the curriculum itself, including assessment and the importance of listening to trainees. The overriding importance of the 'informal' or 'hidden' curriculum, through which students and trainees observe their teachers and develop a sense of the professional and ethical culture within an educational institution, is stressed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To introduce and examine a pilot peer observation of teaching (POT) scheme within the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at Glasgow Dental School and its associated outreach centres.
Methods: All tutors teaching paediatric dentistry were invited to be involved in evaluation of the POT scheme. Participants were randomly paired with a peer, who then observed their teaching and provided constructive feedback.
Students in higher education are being encouraged to become active, independent and life-long learners. The use of progress files has been endorsed to encourage this approach. A portfolio intended to fulfil the role of a progress file and to promote student-centred learning and reflection was introduced as a central component of the revised undergraduate degree at the Glasgow Dental School in 2004.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Dent Educ
February 2008
Dental schools around the world face new challenges that raise issues with regard to how they are governed, led and managed. With rapid societal changes, including globalization and consumerism, the roles of universities and their funding have become intensely debated topics. When financial burdens on universities increase, so does the pressure on dental schools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Outreach teaching programmes can be organized in a variety of settings, be structured in different formats and can offer education and training to all members of the dental team. This paper principally examines outreach teaching as a contributory training experience for undergraduate dental students. Following a review of recent literature on the subject, educational and NHS host perspectives are considered in relation to a qualitative report on a contemporary programme offering training in Adult Restorative Care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a computer assisted learning (CAL) programme with that of traditional small group tutorials in teaching theoretical and practical aspects of periodontal pocket charting.
Method: Sixty-one third year undergraduate dental students were randomized to either receive a tutorial or to work through the CAL programme. Students using the CAL programme completed questionnaires relating to previous computer experience and the ease of use of the programme.
Replacing the retentive elements in a bar-retained overdenture can be a difficult and time-consuming procedure. This article describes an impression procedure that allows the matrices in a bar-retained implant overdenture to be replaced in the laboratory using a heat-cured rebase procedure. Long waxing screws are used, which allows the bar to be removed in the rebase impression and incorporated in a new master cast.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol
July 1993
The efficacy of fluconazole and amphotericin in the management of denture stomatitis was investigated in a comparative trial. Patients were assessed clinically, hematologically, and mycologically at the time of entry into the study and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks thereafter. A total of 29 patients were selected at random to receive 50 mg of fluconazole daily for 14 days; 30 patients were selected to receive amphotericin lozenges and cream for 28 days.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF