Hammad MM, Mahasneh SA, Sawair FA, Hattar SN, Al-Rabab'ah MA, Wahab FK. Satisfaction of
optional pairing in clinical dental training.
J Dent Educ 2020;
84:1418-1425. [PMID:
32803774 DOI:
10.1002/jdd.12356]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived satisfaction of optional pairing in undergraduate clinical dental training of fourth- and fifth-year dental students and newly graduated intern dentists in the subject of conservative dentistry and endodontics.
METHODS
Data were collected through a paper-based 2-part questionnaire. The first part was made of 3 questions; gender, undergraduate dental year, and grade point average (GPA). The second part involved 9 questions about assistant student-year level preference, satisfaction of optional pairing and main advantages and disadvantages of pairing. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to investigate any statistically significant differences.
RESULTS
A total of 92.4% were satisfied with optional clinical pairing. Satisfied respondents reported most prevalent advantages were speeding things up (88.5%) and helping in transferring instruments and materials (85.6%). Unsatisfied respondents reported the most prevalent disadvantages were like to work independently (56.8%) and the assistant was not always cooperative (32.4%). Students with low grade point averages (GPAs) felt incompetent to work in pairs compared with high GPA students (P = 0.001). Only 32.4% of participants thought that the assistant student should be given an evaluation mark. About 75% of respondents reported that clinical pairing improved their diagnostic skills and treatment planning.
CONCLUSIONS
Optional pairing in clinical dental training had a high satisfaction percentage. Allowing students to choose their own assistants may reduce pairing disadvantages and enhance its advantages. Students may gain a mentoring benefit from being encouraged to optionally pair with similar or higher study-year students.
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