title: Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of participants and instructors taking part in a dental school simulation course for potential dental students.
abstract: Four two-day dental school simulation courses were conducted over a two-year period for the purpose of allowing prospective dental students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dental simulation lab. A total of 292 subjects from thirty-four colleges and universities participated in the courses. The courses were planned and taught by dental students attending the host school, with oversight by faculty members. Participants took pre- and posttests assessing their knowledge of dental practices and completed surveys before and after the course to assess their attitudes toward the dental profession. Student instructors completed a post-course survey of the experience. The simulation course was effective in increasing participants' desire (8 percent increase) to attend the host school. Dental knowledge improved 34 percent following the course. Thirty-four percent of student instructors indicated they were more likely to pursue a career in academics following this experience. Results suggest that a dental school simulation course can be a positive experience for both participants and student instructors.
authors.affiliation: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine, 1001 Shadow Lane, MS 7410, Las Vegas, NV 89031, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dye
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ditmyer