title: Evaluation of an integrative model for professional development and research in a dental curriculum.
abstract: The purpose of this project was to evaluate a Research, Professional Development, and Critical Thinking Integrative Model developed for use in a dental curriculum. This article outlines strategies used in developing a competency-based pedagogical model designed to provide a tailored student learning environment with objective, measurable, and calibrated assessment outcomes. The theoretical model integrated elements of critical thinking, professionalism, and evidence-based dentistry across dental school disciplines; implementation was based on consensus of dental faculty and student representatives about course content, faculty allocation, and curriculum alignment. Changes introduced included the following: 1) conversion and integration of previously siloed course content taught in Years 1 and 2 to sequential two-year combined courses; 2) reduction of course and content redundancies; 3) delivery of courses by teams of faculty members in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences; and 4) reduction of total curriculum credit/contact hours from 13.5 (201 contact hours) to 5.0 (60 contact hours), allowing the Curriculum Committee to accommodate additional courses. These changes resulted in improvement in student satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1001 Shadow Lane Campus, MS 7410, Las Vegas, NV 89106; marcia.ditmyer@unlv.edu.
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ditmyer
authors.forename: Connie C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mobley
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Davenport
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D032921:Consensus; D003479:Curriculum; D018865:Dental Research / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000193:education; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008568:Memory; D017145:Models, Educational; D009505:Nevada; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013850:Thinking
keywords: critical thinking; curriculum development; dental education; dental school curriculum; evidence-based dentistry