title: Teaching Skill Acquisition and Development in Dental Education.
abstract: Development of dental faculty members is paramount to providing outstanding education and role modeling for students. With the large number of second career educators in dental schools, an efficient method of acquiring teaching skills is important for new faculty members. Knowing the skill progression and learning experiences identified by dental educators of varying rank may lead to more efficient, effective faculty development. The aims of this study were to identify the perceptions of a group of faculty members about the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and learning experiences that contribute to developing teaching expertise and to compare and contrast the perceptions of new and more senior faculty members on these subjects. The Dreyfus skill acquisition continuum of novice to expert performance was used as a construct reference. The study used a mixed-methods approach in which qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently in an electronic survey of faculty members at one U.S. dental school. Of the 492 total faculty members, 80 survey responses were received, for a 16% response rate. Open coding and analysis of responses revealed some common themes. Building rich content knowledge and learning varied methodologies for teaching and assessment, supported by an awareness of peer role models, were perceived to be features of early growth. Content prioritization, clarity, and customization appropriate for the learner characterized mid growth. As theorized in the Dreyfus model, more experienced faculty members described a fluid, less structured teaching process, increased reflection, and appreciation of the strength of the educational community. The results of this study may help increase dental educators' understanding of teaching skill acquisition and inform faculty development and support.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lyon is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Hoover is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Giusti is Associate Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Booth is Assistant Professor and Group Practice Administrator, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Mahdavi is Assistant Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific. clyon@pacific.edu.
authors.forename: Lucinda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lyon is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Hoover is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Giusti is Associate Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Booth is Assistant Professor and Group Practice Administrator, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Mahdavi is Assistant Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific.
authors.forename: Terry E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lyon is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Hoover is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Giusti is Associate Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Booth is Assistant Professor and Group Practice Administrator, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Mahdavi is Assistant Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific.
authors.forename: Lola
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lyon is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Hoover is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Giusti is Associate Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Booth is Assistant Professor and Group Practice Administrator, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Mahdavi is Assistant Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific.
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Dr. Lyon is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Hoover is Associate Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Dental Practice, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Giusti is Associate Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; Dr. Booth is Assistant Professor and Group Practice Administrator, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific; and Dr. Mahdavi is Assistant Professor, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mahdavi
mesh_terms: D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D005179:Faculty, Dental / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards
keywords: dental education; faculty; faculty development; teaching methods