Evaluation of clinical education and examination of preclinical and clinical courses of pediatric dentistry from the viewpoint of the students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Clinical training in dentistry requires special attention due to the large volume of practical units and the extent of its extensive clinical skills. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical education and examination of preclinical and clinical units of pediatric dentistry from the viewpoint of the students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

In this cross- sectional descriptive-analytic study, 146 students were participated, who had passed the preclinical and clinical units of pediatric dentistry at the department of pediatric dentistry of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. To collect data, a self-constructed questionnaire was used which its validity and reliability were assessed. To analyze data from questionnaires; for quantitative data descriptive statistics were used. To analyze the data according to different student's opinion on the basis of age, gender and educational level; multiple regression model in SPSS 22 software were used.

Appropriate assessment at the end of the ward had was only 38 percent opposed. Only about 30 percent of students did not satisfy about the physical equipment and materials in the laboratory and ward. For most skills, the students were satisfied and be able to do most skills alone. Most problem of the students was regarding spacemaintainer (fixed and removable). Age and sex are two factors influencing the opinions of students in some of the cases but year of university entrance was most affecting factors on the lack of refusing to perform the skills in pediatric dentistry department.

Students were satisfied with clinical education and examination of preclinical and clinical courses of pediatric dentistry for most skills. About spacemaintainer; Educational packages can be useful for students’ skill improvement.