Clinical experience of undergraduate dental students in paediatric dentistry: A 5-year cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: The clinical experience of undergraduate dental students in Paediatric Dentistry has a profound influence on their future confidence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical experience of undergraduate students in Paediatric Dentistry over five consecutive years and to determine whether changes in teaching practices are reflected in the clinic. Materials and Methods: In total, 196 records submitted at the end of the Paediatric Dentistry training from the last 5 years (2016–2020) were evaluated. The variables analysed included the number of patients treated per student, the year, and the numbers and types of procedures performed individually across the years. The data were grouped into two categories; pre and post implementation of an electronic portfolio and a change in teaching practices (2016–2017 and 2018–2020 respectively). Data were analysed using Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney for two group comparison, depending on data distribution (α = 5%). Results: There was a significant reduction in the number of radiographs exposed (p =.013) between the two groups. The number of fissure sealants had increased in recent years (p