title: Clinical educators' views on the quality of undergraduate clinical restorative dentistry in the UK and ROI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following concerns expressed regarding recently expanded dental education, a survey was conducted on United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland clinical educators' perceptions of their work and the educational experiences they provide in clinical restorative dentistry. Many of the challenges facing dental education are common to all countries, and it would be of interest to note if the views reported are representative of the greater European perspective. The results of this survey represent a European regional picture.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a survey of clinical staff in restorative dentistry departments across all of the fully established UK and ROI dental schools. The survey covered factors affecting the quality of undergraduate learning in restorative dentistry and the implications of these for programme delivery. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eighty-eight responses were received across the gamut of clinical educators' roles and across 15 of the 16 schools. Themes identified were personal workload, teaching effectiveness, students' clinical experiences, provision of teaching, departmental organisation and job satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey findings had many parallels with other recent reports but also suggested some developments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey provided an accurate snapshot of staff views on the quality of undergraduate clinical training in restorative dentistry. Despite experiencing difficulties in many areas of their work resulting in poor morale, staff considered teaching rewarding although undervalued by others. A number of recommendations are made for the development of undergraduate teaching.
authors: Academic Unit of Restorative Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. n.martin@sheffield.ac.uk
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Martin
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Fairclough
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Smith
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ellis
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000592:standards*; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D017145:Models, Educational; D009013:Morale; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom; D016526:Workload