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Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument

Dissertation (MSc Dentistry)--University of Pretoria, 2018.

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Other Authors: Postma, Thomas Corne
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2019
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author2 Postma, Thomas Corne
author_browse Postma, Thomas Corne
author_facet Postma, Thomas Corne
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc Dentistry)--University of Pretoria, 2018.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:29.594Z
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/69919 Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument Postma, Thomas Corne u83122738@tuks.co.za Merbold, Karl-Heinz UCTD Exodontia Dental Student Competencies Undergraduate Dental Education Assessment Tool Continuous Assessment Instrument Dental Surgery Skills Competency Assessment Dental Curriculum Evaluation Dental Training Methods Exodontia Proficiency Health sciences theses SDG-03 SDG-03: Good health and well-being Dissertation (MSc Dentistry)--University of Pretoria, 2018. Background Universities are obliged to ensure that health professions graduates are competent to render safe and effective treatment. Unfortunately, empirical evidence of competence development is lacking, especially at undergraduate level. Hence, this study aimed to provide empirical evidence of dental students’ development of independence in exodontia (tooth extractions) following task-level feedback in relation to achievable targets. Summary of work This entails the implementation of a novel workplace-based assessment instrument in the Module: Oro-facial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria. Thirteen trained clinical supervisors guided by the primary researcher assessed 28280 tooth extractions performed by fourth and fifth year dental students (2014-2016). Quarterly task-level feedback was provided to students on their ability to independently perform tooth extractions using “Independence ratios” (IR=extractions performed without assistance/total number of extractions) as key performance indicator. A customised Level of Difficulty Index (LDI) (<2=easier than standard; 2=standard; >2=more difficult than standard) was used to control for difficulty level attained. Based on 2014 data, minimum targets of 80% and 90% independence were, respectively set for fourth and fifth year students. Feedback aimed to increase the number of students who achieved targets. Only very low performing students were subjected to targeted intervention. Remaining students were left on their own to progress. Dijksterhuis’ model of progressive independence and Zimmerman’s model of self-regulated learning, served as conceptual models for analysis of structured student narrations (BChD IV 2015-2017) to evaluate the instrument. Summary of results Respective mean IRs (SD), (Ranges: IR; LDI; EC) for the 2014 (n=42), 2015 (n=51) and 2016 (n=62) BChD IV cohorts were 85% (SD: 6%) (Ranges: IR=73-95%; LDI=1.9-3.3; EC=57-232), 85% (SD: 5%) (Ranges: IR=71- 97%; LDI=1.8-3.1; EC=65-261) and 88% (SD: 4%) (Ranges: IR=74-94%; LDI=1.6-3.9; EC=55-140). The 2014 BChD V cohort (n=58) eventually achieved a mean IR of 90% (SD: 5%) (Ranges: IR=79-100%; LDI=2.2 - 4.4; EC=27-168). For the respective 2015 (n=37) and 2016 (n=51) BChD V cohorts these performance indicators increased to mean IRs of 92% (SD: 4%) (Ranges: IR=78-98%; LDI=1.8-4.7; EC=65- 219) and 94% (SD: 3%) (Ranges: IR=86-100%; LDI=1.6-4.3; EC=65-150). Students (BChD IV 2014) who achieved 80% independence increased from 60% after mid-year feedback to 81% at the end of the year. The 2015 and 2016 cohorts respectively improved from 67% to 86% and 56% to 97%. BChD V 2014 students who achieved 90% independence, increased from 40% after mid-year feedback to 48% at the end of the year. The 2015 and 2016 cohorts’ improvements were 57% to 65% and 82% to 88%, respectively. Assessment differences were generally small among assessors and could be explained by operational circumstances. The qualitative analysis using the Dijksterhuis model revealed that trainee factors, supervisor factors, the professional activity and the working environment impacted significantly on assessment results. Another analysis using the Zimmerman model revealed that most students were self-regulated learners who set independence targets for themselves. Only a few students showed limited progression. Discussion & Conclusions IR appears to be a useful indicator of clinical competence as gradients of increased independence were illustrated over time. IR measurement was sensitive enough to distinguish between low and high performing students. Target introduction in 2015/16 coincided with increased independent practice compared to 2014 baseline data, suggesting a catalytic effect of assessment. Achievable objectives should accompany task-level feedback to facilitate competence development. Methods employed may be transferable to other disciplines. em2025 Dental Management Sciences MSc Dentistry Unrestricted SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2019-06-02T11:39:28Z 2019-06-02T11:39:28Z 2019/04/26 2018 Dissertation Merbold, K 2018, Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument, MSc Dentistry Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/69919> A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/69919 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Exodontia
Dental Student Competencies
Undergraduate Dental Education
Assessment Tool
Continuous Assessment Instrument
Dental Surgery Skills
Competency Assessment
Dental Curriculum Evaluation
Dental Training Methods
Exodontia Proficiency
Health sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title_full Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title_fullStr Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title_full_unstemmed Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title_short Assessing undergraduate dental students' exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
title_sort assessing undergraduate dental students exodontia competencies by employing a novel continuous assessment instrument
topic UCTD
Exodontia
Dental Student Competencies
Undergraduate Dental Education
Assessment Tool
Continuous Assessment Instrument
Dental Surgery Skills
Competency Assessment
Dental Curriculum Evaluation
Dental Training Methods
Exodontia Proficiency
Health sciences theses SDG-03
SDG-03: Good health and well-being
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/69919