title: A comprehensive clinical competency-based assessment in periodontics.
abstract: Traditional periodontics clinical examinations in dental education frequently assess a narrow set of clinical skills and do not adequately assess the ability of students to independently manage a periodontal patient. As an alternative, the authors developed a comprehensive periodontics competency case experience (CCCE) for senior dental students and surveyed students regarding their experience with the CCCE. Students challenging the CCCE must treat a patient with moderate periodontitis and must independently decide when a state of periodontal and oral health has been achieved. Students are also required to conduct an oral presentation to periodontology faculty. Dental students who completed the CCCE had a favourable impression of the experience, compared with the traditional clinical examinations taken in the junior year. The majority of students rated all the components of the CCCE as 'somewhat' or 'very helpful'. About 72.4% of students felt that being able to work independently on the examination was very helpful for learning about the clinical management of patients with periodontal disease, followed by 'simulation of care in private practice' (65.5%), and oral photography experience (55.2%). The greatest difficulty reported by students was finding an acceptable patient. About 62.1% of students rated 'finding the right patient' as very difficult. Students reported having to screen a mean of 5.9 patients (SD: 4.5) to find a qualified patient. The results of the survey will be useful in improving the examination as an assessment tool in periodontal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shiloah
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research and Assistant Dean for Institutional Affairs, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarbecz
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Dean of College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hottel
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010517:Periodontics / Q000193:education*; D013335:Students, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee
keywords: clinical competence; dental education; educational assessment; periodontal therapy