An investigation into the oral surgery curriculum and undergraduate experience in a sample of DFT's in the UK.

AIM

There is conflicting evidence concerning the ability of recent graduates to meet the standards required in exodontia to be independent practitioners. In particular, there is a lack of confidence in surgical extractions. This study evaluated Foundation Trainee's confidence levels in their oral surgery experience and the teaching of oral surgery in UK dental schools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two separate studies were carried out, and the first was a survey to all foundation trainees in the Yorkshire and Humber Deanary in 2019 which analysed their oral surgery experience and confidence levels. The second study surveyed all Dental Schools in the UK with regard to their contact hours, assessment methods, instruments taught and number of extractions in oral surgery for their undergraduate programmes.

RESULTS

There was a response rate of 52% for the foundation trainees which showed that they were confident in performing non-surgical extractions but lacked confidence with surgical extractions. There was a positive correlation between the amount of undergraduate experience and confidence levels in exodontia. The second survey which had a response rate of 71% showed variations in the numbers of hours taught for oral surgery, instruments taught and assessment methods, with the structured clinical operative test used more commonly. On average, 41 non-surgical extractions were performed by students before graduation and two surgical extractions.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to identify how oral surgery teaching can be improved in UK dental schools to ensure that foundation trainees are more confident and competent in both surgical and non-surgical exodontia. In addition, teaching and assessment methods need to be developed to reflect such requirements.