Evaluation of the Topics of Theoretical and Clinical Courses of Operative Dentistry in General Dentistry Major: Alumni Perspectives

Operative dentistry is one of the most useful scopes in practice of dentistry. Recognition of weaknesses of dentists in this scope is very important and general dentists are the main sources to evaluate the operative dentistry curriculum and receiving feedbacks from it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the topics of theoretical and clinical courses of operative dentistry in general dentistry major curriculum by Mashhad Dental School alumni graduating between 2006-2010. A valid and reliable questionnaire to evaluate the topics of courses in theoretical course of operative dentistry and practical course (including different restorations and number of sessions) was distributed among 200 dentistry alumni. The data were reported descriptively. Response rate was 75%. Most of the responders evaluated that most of theoretical topics are important (more than 50%); Practical topics were mostly sufficient and it was recommended to increase the number of extensive composite restorations. According to alumni point of view of importance of defferent topics in operative dentistry curriculum، revision of the curriculum is in demand with special regard to extensive and cosmetic restorations.