Assessment of Early Clinical Experiences at Indiana University School of Dentistry

Abstract

The early clinical experience of a dental student is fundamental in preparing them to be competent and confident primary providers. To assess the state of early clinical experiences for students at Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD), a survey was distributed to all predoctoral students attending IUSD. Of the 100 respondents, 14 reported being D1 students, 19 were D2 students, 30 were D3 students, and 37 were D4 students. When asked which of the following procedures (screening, COE/POE, radiographs, non-surgical periodontics, direct restorations, single tooth indirect restorations, fixed prosthodontics or implant therapy, removable prosthodontics, endodontics, any of these on a patient under 12 years old, or none of these) the student completed on a non-classmate patient as a D1, 90.5% of respondents answered none of these. When the same question was presented to D2s, 61.6% of respondents said none of these. Majority of respondents believe IUSD students serve as the primary provider too late in the curriculum and believe students should should start providing simpler procedures like screening exams, COEs/POEs, radiographs, local anesthesia, non-surgical periodontics, and direct restorations during the D2 year.