Feature Papers in Dental Education

A topical collection in Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767). This collection belongs to the section "Dental Education".

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Editors

1. Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
2. Department of Dental Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: dental anthropology; oral health; forensic dentistry; history of dentistry; special care dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: oral medicine; burning mouth syndrome; potentially malignant oral lesions; oral cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the great success of the Special Issue “Dental Education”, we are pleased to announce the opening of Volume 2 of this Issue.

Of the four domains in an undergraduate dental curriculum, Professionalism, Safe and Effective Clinical Practice, Patient-Centred Care and Dentistry in Society, the last is probably the most demanding. As societies are changing in modern demographic and health trends, dental education needs constant updates to equip future dentists with competences to promote the general and oral health in their communities and populations. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a global challenge that reflects on dental education. Distance learning, loss of practical courses and extramural education, and lockdown had significant impacts on dental students and educators. With higher rates of vaccination, students are back in faculties, but we are still living in “new normal” conditions and adjusting to the development of the pandemic.

This Special Issue is dedicated to dental education in all its segments. We invite contributors to publish new information on curriculum updates and quality assurance in undergraduate/postgraduate education and dental auxiliary personnel training. We aim to rapidly publish and disseminate the latest information on curriculum development, clinical protocols, teaching and competence assessment methods before and during the coronavirus pandemic, ethical issues, and student surveys. Original research articles, reviews and short communications are welcome for submission.

Prof. Dr. Jelena Dumancic
Prof. Dr. Božana Lončar Brzak
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Dentistry Journal is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • undergraduate dental education
  • postgraduate dental education
  • continuing education
  • specialty training
  • competencies and learning outcomes
  • clinical skills teaching
  • clinical protocols
  • teaching methodology
  • competence assessment
  • quality assurance
  • professionalism in dentistry
  • ethics in dental education
  • medical sciences
  • behavioural sciences
  • distance learning
  • virtual reality
  • student survey
  • oral health status, goals and implications for education
  • oral health education

Published Papers (11 papers)

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022

18 pages, 4054 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Virtual Simulation Platform for Apexification Learning
by Lan Ma, Hongbin Lai and Wei Zhao
Dent. J. 2024, 12(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj12020027 - 29 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
The traditional teaching methods for apexification face difficulties in meeting dental students’ practical training needs. Herein, we aimed to find optimal techniques of learning apexification and to evaluate whether a virtual simulation platform for apexification learning was effective. A virtual simulation learning platform [...] Read more.
The traditional teaching methods for apexification face difficulties in meeting dental students’ practical training needs. Herein, we aimed to find optimal techniques of learning apexification and to evaluate whether a virtual simulation platform for apexification learning was effective. A virtual simulation learning platform for apexification was developed. Ninety-nine 4th-year dentistry students were classified randomly into the control group (Con, receiving conventional teaching) and the experimental group (Exp, receiving virtual simulation teaching). Theoretical tests before (test 1) and after the virtual simulation training (test 2) assessed the effect of learning. In the Exp group, a questionnaire was used to assess student understanding of the virtual simulation platform. In the Exp group, the test-2 scores were significantly better compared those in the Con group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the Exp group, the test-2 scores exceeded those of test 1 (p < 0.001). Feedback using the questionnaire covered the evaluation of the Exp group for the virtual reality platform and offered useful suggestions. Applying the virtual simulation learning platform had positive effects on improving learning quality related to apexification. Full article
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2023

Jump to: 2024, 2022

13 pages, 1350 KiB  
Article
How Much Do We Know about Oral Cancer?—An Online Survey
by Iva Horvat, Božana Lončar-Brzak, Ana Andabak Rogulj, Livia Cigić, Sonja Pezelj Ribarić, Miroslav Sikora and Danica Vidović-Juras
Dent. J. 2023, 11(12), 268; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj11120268 - 24 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Introduction: Oral cancer (OC) is a disease with a high mortality rate due to its late recognition. Since the oral cavity is easily accessible for visual inspection, enabling early diagnosis, the education of healthcare workers about preventive oral examinations is critical. This research [...] Read more.
Introduction: Oral cancer (OC) is a disease with a high mortality rate due to its late recognition. Since the oral cavity is easily accessible for visual inspection, enabling early diagnosis, the education of healthcare workers about preventive oral examinations is critical. This research aimed to assess the level of participants’ OC knowledge, as well as to raise awareness about this diagnosis. Materials and methods: The research was conducted as an online survey among students of dental medicine, students of medicine, doctors of dental medicine and doctors of medicine. The questionnaire was designed solely for the purpose of this study and consisted of 29 questions. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of general questions about the participants, whereas the questions in the second part addressed their knowledge and attitudes towards OC. Results: The surveyed population comprised of 140 dental students, 105 medical students, 159 doctors of dental medicine and 100 medical doctors. The level of knowledge about OC among the participants is not yet satisfactory. The group of dental medicine students scored highest, while medical doctors showed the weakest knowledge. Conclusion: Additional education about OC for doctors of dental medicine and medical doctors is needed. This step will improve prevention and increase chances for early detection. Full article
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16 pages, 1876 KiB  
Article
Dental Student Perceptions of Distance Education over Time: A Mixed-Methods Study
by Susanna Y. Yeh, Nithya Puttige Ramesh, Kristie Kaczmarek-Stewart, Chiho Ahn, Alice Z. Li and Hiroe Ohyama
Dent. J. 2023, 11(10), 233; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj11100233 - 02 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Objectives: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to distance learning raised pertinent questions regarding advantages and challenges compared to traditional in-person learning. This study aimed to investigate dental students’ perceptions of distance learning throughout the pandemic, examining its impact on their education. Methods: [...] Read more.
Objectives: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to distance learning raised pertinent questions regarding advantages and challenges compared to traditional in-person learning. This study aimed to investigate dental students’ perceptions of distance learning throughout the pandemic, examining its impact on their education. Methods: This study employed a convergent mixed-methods design. Three online surveys were conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 to collect quantitative data. Additionally, qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out in 2022. Interviews were recorded and transcribed; then, thematic analysis was performed following an inductive approach. Results: As perceived by the participants, distance learning entails advantages and challenges. Initially, they felt uncertainty and negativity about the new environment with distance learning. However, their perceptions shifted positively as they adapted, even after returning to hybrid and in-person modules. Furthermore, most participants felt that distance learning is better suited for didactic content. It was suggested that didactic courses contain approximately 25–50% of online methods. Conclusions: Distance learning has provided valuable opportunities to reinforce curricula and improve learning efficacy during the pandemic. Our findings suggest that a hybrid learning model that combines traditional and distance modules appears to be an effective approach for future dental education. Full article
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13 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
Perceptions of Online Learning Implementation in Dental Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Dental School Faculty Members in Southeast Asia
by Yuniardini Septorini Wimardhani, Ratna Kumala Indrastiti, Adrianti Primata Ayu, Anandina Irmagita Soegyanto, Indriasti Indah Wardhany, Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj, Nik Mohd Mazuan Nik Mohd Rosdy and Thao Thi Do
Dent. J. 2023, 11(9), 201; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj11090201 - 23 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1145
Abstract
Objective: To assess the perceptions of faculty members from dental schools in Southeast Asian countries regarding the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A previously implemented questionnaire comprising 43 questions was utilized in this study. Lecturers from four universities in [...] Read more.
Objective: To assess the perceptions of faculty members from dental schools in Southeast Asian countries regarding the implementation of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A previously implemented questionnaire comprising 43 questions was utilized in this study. Lecturers from four universities in Southeast Asia were invited to participate in the study. Statistical analysis: The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 through several types of comparative and correlation analyses. Results: There were 183 lecturers who participated in the study. The overall responses suggest that the perceived effectiveness of online learning in dentistry was centered on a neutral value. The participants faced challenges when implementing online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the lack of interaction being the most challenging factor. They agreed that online learning had many advantages, specifically in time flexibility and communication. The participants had stronger perceptions relating the advantages and opportunities of online teaching, and recognized that the effectiveness of offline teaching alone was limited. Conclusion: The perceptions of Southeast Asian dental school faculty members were inclined toward a positive outlook on blended learning for implementation in dentistry, as a means of providing opportunities to use online learning beyond COVID-19 in the future. Full article
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9 pages, 245 KiB  
Article
Awareness, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Oral Healthcare among First Year Dental, Medical, and Nursing Students
by Tassya Lay, Fadiza Nurchasanah, Dessie Wanda, Indriasti Indah Wardhany, Rulliana Agustin, Satoru Haresaku, Yuniardini Septorini Wimardhani and Masita Mandasari
Dent. J. 2023, 11(7), 169; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj11070169 - 12 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1491
Abstract
Background: It has been reported that poor oral health can worsen general health conditions. Good collaboration between health professionals is important to provide proper oral healthcare. Thus, there is a need for oral healthcare interprofessional education (IPE). This study aimed to determine the [...] Read more.
Background: It has been reported that poor oral health can worsen general health conditions. Good collaboration between health professionals is important to provide proper oral healthcare. Thus, there is a need for oral healthcare interprofessional education (IPE). This study aimed to determine the baseline level of awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of oral healthcare among first-year students of dentistry, medicine, and nursing at Universitas Indonesia. Method and Participants: A cross-sectional descriptive analytical study using a previously published questionnaire was conducted involving 442 students, consisting of dental students (DS), medical students (MS), and nursing students (NS) in Universitas Indonesia. Results: Most students have shown good oral healthcare awareness, attitudes, and perception with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.05). The majority of the students did not perceive that (1) geriatric and nursing knowledge are required to practice oral care, (2) oral healthcare should be provided in cancer hospitals, and (3) oral healthcare can prevent cardiovascular disease and improve anorexia. Conclusions: This study showed that there were aspects of oral healthcare that should be improved in all student groups. Thus, oral healthcare IPE should be given to all students working in healthcare to develop knowledge and interprofessional collaboration in oral healthcare. Full article

2022

Jump to: 2024, 2023

9 pages, 224 KiB  
Article
Students’ Awareness of the Role of Phonetics in Construction of Removable Dental Prostheses: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study
by Reem Abualsaud, Ahmad M. Al-Thobity, Masoumah S. Qaw, Danah F. Almaskin, Zahra A. Alzaher, Soban Q. Khan and Mohammed M. Gad
Dent. J. 2022, 10(12), 227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10120227 - 01 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1679
Abstract
Phonetics plays a major role in the fabrication of prostheses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of students regarding the role of phonetics in denture fabrication and to improve the educational process and the clinical application. The study was conducted at the [...] Read more.
Phonetics plays a major role in the fabrication of prostheses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of students regarding the role of phonetics in denture fabrication and to improve the educational process and the clinical application. The study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, and involved a survey of 344 dental students and interns. The questionnaire contained 20 questions and was divided into three sections: general knowledge, clinical correlations, and clinical evaluations. The data were collected and analyzed statistically using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc tests. The response rate was 100%. Male and female students only differed significantly in terms of their scores for answers to general knowledge questions, with females achieving better results (p = 0.023). General knowledge varied significantly between fourth-year students and all other levels (p < 0.001), and fifth-year students and interns (p = 0.027). The clinical correlations varied significantly between fourth-year students and interns (p = 0.01), whereas the clinical evaluations varied between all the academic years and interns (fourth-year, p < 0.001; fifth-year, p = 0.003; and sixth-year, p = 0.017). The interns obtained the highest scores in all sections. There was a lack of awareness among dental students of some aspects of the role of phonetics in denture fabrication. The study highlights the deficiencies that need to be addressed and the need for adjustments to the curriculum related to removable prosthodontics in order to improve the knowledge of students regarding the role of speech in denture fabrication. Full article
11 pages, 263 KiB  
Article
Impact of Undergraduate Research as a Compulsory Course in the Dentistry Study Program Universitas Indonesia
by Lisa R. Amir, Sri Angky Soekanto, Vera Julia, Nieka A. Wahono and Diah Ayu Maharani
Dent. J. 2022, 10(11), 204; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10110204 - 28 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1653
Abstract
Undergraduate (UG) research is regarded as a fundamental component in dental education. The present study was designed to examine the perception of the clinical students and the graduates of dentistry profession programs in the past 10 years on UG research as a compulsory [...] Read more.
Undergraduate (UG) research is regarded as a fundamental component in dental education. The present study was designed to examine the perception of the clinical students and the graduates of dentistry profession programs in the past 10 years on UG research as a compulsory course at the Faculty of Dentistry Universitas Indonesia. A total of 310 respondents, consisting of clinical students (64.8%) and alumni (35.2%), participated in this study. The majority of respondents (81.3%) agreed to UG research as part of compulsory courses in the curriculum of dentistry study programs. The positive impact of UG research on their professional careers was perceived by 78.3% of participants. Only 11.6% of participants responded that UG research experiments were not important in dental education, and 18.7% preferred UG research as an elective course. UG research as a compulsory course in the dental curriculum was well received by the majority of participants. Recommendations included student autonomy to select research topics of interest, longer duration to complete UG research, and more opportunities to present the research results in scientific conferences and to publish in scientific journals. Dental schools and their faculties play essential roles in improving the research environment for undergraduate dental students. Full article
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15 pages, 2580 KiB  
Article
Broadening the Dental Hygiene Students’ Perspectives on the Oral Health Professionals: A Text Mining Analysis
by Yukiko Nagatani, Rintaro Imafuku and Yukie Nakai
Dent. J. 2022, 10(9), 160; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10090160 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
Professional identity formation, an important component of education, is influenced by participation, social relationships, and culture in communities of practice. As a preliminary investigation of dental hygienists’ professional identity formation, this study examined changes in the dental hygiene students’ perceptions of oral health [...] Read more.
Professional identity formation, an important component of education, is influenced by participation, social relationships, and culture in communities of practice. As a preliminary investigation of dental hygienists’ professional identity formation, this study examined changes in the dental hygiene students’ perceptions of oral health professionals over the three years of their undergraduate program. At a Japanese dental hygiene school, 40 students participated in surveys with open-ended questions about professional groups several times during their studies. The text data were analyzed through content analysis with text mining software. The themes that characterized their dental hygienist profession perceptions in their programs each year were identified as: “Supporters at the dental clinic”; “Engagement with interprofessional care” and “Improved problem-solving skills for clinical issues regarding the oral region”; and “Active contribution to general health” and “Recognition of the roles considering relationships” (in the first, second, and third years, respectively). The students acquired professional knowledge and recognized the significance and roles of oral health professionals in practice. They gained more learning experiences in their education, including clinical placements and interprofessional education. This study provides insight into curriculum development for professional identity formation in dental hygiene students. Full article
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11 pages, 1076 KiB  
Article
Current Undergraduate Dental Implantology Teaching in UK
by Arminder Hare, Samantha Bird, Simon Wright, Cemal Ucer and Rabia Sannam Khan
Dent. J. 2022, 10(7), 127; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10070127 - 05 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1766
Abstract
Dental Implants are a popular treatment option for tooth replacement, with documented long-term success and survival rates of more than 95% over a period of 10 years. However, incorporating dental implantology into an undergraduate dental curriculum has issues associated. Therefore, the aim of [...] Read more.
Dental Implants are a popular treatment option for tooth replacement, with documented long-term success and survival rates of more than 95% over a period of 10 years. However, incorporating dental implantology into an undergraduate dental curriculum has issues associated. Therefore, the aim of this research was to examine and evaluate current undergraduate dental implantology education in the UK, investigate the amount of time allocated to this subject and analyse the barriers that are currently impeding the development of the programmes. An online questionnaire hosted by Online Surveys was designed, piloted, and sent to 16 dental schools providing undergraduate education in the UK. Ethical approval was gained from The University of Salford to conduct the study. Out of the 16 dental schools contacted, eight questionnaire responses were received, hence a response rate of 50% was achieved. The hours dedicated to the implant teaching programme varied from 3 h to 25 h, with a mean average of 11 h. It was identified from the results that no teaching of dental implantology was conducted in year 2; 12% of the schools responded that the subject was taught in year 1, 37% in year 3, 75% in year 4 and 50% in year 5. The methods used to deliver the programme were mainly lecture-based teaching, with only one dental school allowing students to place implants on patients. The main barriers to progression of the programme were financial (75%), followed by time limitations imposed by the curriculum (37%) and liability insurance (37%). However, there appears to be a consensus that further training beyond bachelor’s degree level is required to teach implantology effectively. Full article
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8 pages, 424 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Knowledge towards Radiation Protection Measures among Newly Graduated Dentists from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study
by Soha Mohamed Ali Basha, Munerah Saleh BinShabaib and Shatha Subhi ALHarthi
Dent. J. 2022, 10(6), 95; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10060095 - 01 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1855
Abstract
Background: It is hypothesized that knowledge towards ionizing radiation (IR) protection measures is lacking among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to compare the IR protection knowledge among newly graduated dentists from [...] Read more.
Background: It is hypothesized that knowledge towards ionizing radiation (IR) protection measures is lacking among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the present questionnaire-based study was to compare the IR protection knowledge among newly graduated dentists from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: The present investigation was a questionnaire-based study and had a cross-sectional observational analytical design. Newly graduated dentists were defined as individuals who had graduated from a credentialed dental institution within the past 36-months. The questionnaire was related to knowledge about radiation safety, awareness and practices. The questionnaire comprised of 17 multiple choice questions. Questionnaires in which all the 17 questions were not answered or had missing pages were excluded. Odds ratios were computed for the number of correct and incorrect responses and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Individuals that provided up to 40%, 41% to 70% and >70% correct answers were categorized as having “low competence”; “moderate competence” and “high competence” in IR knowledge. p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean percentage of correct answers provided by dentists from Egypt and KSA were 56.9% and 67.4%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentages of correct responses for the 17 questions submitted by respondents from Egypt and KSA. The overall percentage of correct responses ranged between 40.2–71.2% and 45.4–81.4% for respondents from Egypt and KSA, respectively. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals showed no statistically significant correlation in the responses from respondents from Egypt and KSA for each of the 17 questions addressed. Conclusion: Newly graduated dentists from Egypt and KSA are moderately competent regarding IR doses and related safety measures. It is recommended that modifications in the undergraduate dental education curriculum with emphasis on IR safety and practice would help enhance the knowledge and competence of students and newly graduated dentists. Moreover, routine continuing dental education seminars/programs may help enhance the IR knowledge of dental students and dentists. Full article
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15 pages, 1547 KiB  
Review
Maximizing Student Clinical Communication Skills in Dental Education—A Narrative Review
by Rod Moore
Dent. J. 2022, 10(4), 57; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/dj10040057 - 01 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4804
Abstract
Dental student training in clinical communication skills and behavioral aspects of treatment are lauded as clinically meaningful in the dental education literature. However, many dental school curricula still only provide didactic, one-time coursework with multiple choice examination assessment and little or no student [...] Read more.
Dental student training in clinical communication skills and behavioral aspects of treatment are lauded as clinically meaningful in the dental education literature. However, many dental school curricula still only provide didactic, one-time coursework with multiple choice examination assessment and little or no student skill-activating activities. This article aims to review literature relevant to optimizing clinical communication and behavioral skills in dental education. The review summarizes findings of several relevant reviews and usable models to focus on four themes: (1) special characteristics of dentistry relevant to communication skill needs, (2) essential components of dental student learning of communications skills, (3) clinical consultation guides or styles and (4) optimal curricular structure for communication learning effectiveness. Contexts of communications in the dental chair differ from medical and other allied health professions, given the current mostly dentist-dominant and patient-passive relationships. Patient-centered communication should be trained. Dental students need more practical learning in active listening and patient-centered skills including using role-play, videotaping and ultimately, real patient training. Medical consultation guides are often unwieldy and impractical in many dental contexts, so a shortened guide is proposed. Communication skills need to be learned and taught with the same rigor as other core dental skills over the entire course of the dental curriculum. Full article
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