(PO-005) Bridging Educational Methods From Didactic to Clinical Practice Confidence

Objectives: The development of self-confidence is as important as developing competency in the technical skills of a dental student. This pilot assessed the confidence levels leading to competency in dental students as their perceived clinical outcome with their patient management skills. The skills included motivational interviewing, patient counseling, clinical prevention, hard tissue examination, cultural humility training, understanding social determinants of health, and approaches to preventive outreach.

Methods: In Fall 2021, 65 senior students (65/100 or 65%) completed a self-assessment survey via a Qualtrics anonymous link. A five-item questionnaire assessed their confidence level leading to competence two years after completing the related patient education, counseling, and preventive outreach modules and rotations.

Results: 92% of students reported that the DS1 and DS2 rotations and modules played a vital role in their clinical patient management success during their DS3 and DS4 years. 35% reported confidence with utilizing their communication skills regarding patient counseling and preventive approaches to oral health care. 30% felt competent in gathering and interpreting information from their patient. 40% reported confidence in interpreting patient barriers and access to care challenges. 48% reported understanding interprofessional practice supporting patient's systemic wellbeing. 48% reported providing patient-centered preventive nutrition counseling and fluoride applications during the DS3 and DS4 years. Additional comments ranged from requesting extended access to these training modules, recalling the case approach to learning, and the clinical components of patient management training reports to be more effective than the didactic approaches.

Conclusions: Students' self-reported confidence level leading to competency regarding preventive approaches and patient management skills were satisfactory. The students' self-reported competency that bridges the educational methods to clinical practice. It is essential to assess the dental student learning outcomes of communication with patients, confidence, preventive approaches to patient management, the traditional knowledge and skillset approaches.