Dental Student Harvard School of Dental Medicine Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Presenter: Rachel Harris – Dental Student, Harvard School of Dental Medicine Author: Jiachen Lin, D.M.D. – Lecturer on Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Part-time, Harvard School of Dental Medicine Author: Natalie R. Inoue, D.D.S. – Harvard School of Dental Medicine Author: Emily W. Chen, D.M.D. Author: Jennifer Chen, D.D.S., D.Med.Sc – Instructor in Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine Author: Hiroe Ohyama, D.M.D. – Assistant Professor, Harvard School of Dental Medicine Submitter: Rachel Harris – Dental Student, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Objectives: The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the development and acceptance of non-patient-based dental licensure exams. The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) Dental Examination introduced manikin-based exams that simulated class II caries, class III caries, and calculus, replicating lesions and locations in natural teeth. The objectives of this study were to determine dental students’ experiences and perceptions of this new licensure exam format.
Methods: A survey was administered anonymously to dental students (Class of 2021) asking about their experiences and perceptions of the manikin-based restorative and periodontal portions of the Commission of Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA).
Results: There was a 63% response rate (n = 19). For the restorative exam, most students (74%) felt that the manikin-based examination was sufficient to test their clinical abilities even though 32% of students felt manikin caries teeth were less realistic. If they were to re-take the restorative exam of the CDCA, 63% of students would prefer using typodont teeth over seeing live patients. For the periodontal exam, students thought that the calculus didn’t mimic overall tactile feel (53%), and 58% students experienced typodont teeth dislodging from the typodont. However, 79% students stated that the manikin-based exam was sufficient to test their clinical knowledge, and 84% would take a manikin-based exam if they were to re-take the periodontal exam.
Conclusion: Overall, dental students felt that the manikin-based restorative and periodontal portions of the dental licensure exams were sufficient to test their clinical abilities. They thought that the manikin-based exams were more predictable and ethical. The main areas for improvement suggested by students were making the locations and size of caries more realistic in the restorative part and making the typodont teeth more durable in the periodontal section. Feedback from this survey may be used to modify future manikin-based exams, ultimately improving the dental licensure process.
