Evaluation of the Predictive Validity of Comprehensive Basic Science Examination for the Adequacy of Dentistry Student's Clinical Competence

Basic Science Examination is the exam for dental students that should have sufficient predictive validity for screening students. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between basic science examination scores and students, clinical competence as the main expected role for dentists in health system.
Dentistry Students who had entered Mashhad Dental School in years 2007 to 2009 and participated in basic science examination in years 2009 to 2011 were selected. The students’ basic science examination scores and their average in first and second semester of the fifth year in dental school were extracted from their records. The relationship between the score and the average was investigated by SPSS version 11.5 software.
The calculation of correlation coefficients between the students’ basic science examination scores and their average in second semester of the fifth year and total average of fifth year in dental school(P The results showed that despite the structural dissimilarity of basic sciences and clinical subjects, basic science examination can be a valid instrument for screening students for the next academic courses and identification of students.