Alumni self-perception of competence at time of dental school graduation.

A survey instrument was administered to recent alumni to evaluate self-perceived competency in twenty-one selected areas at the time of graduation. The questionnaire was completed by 439 (62.8 percent) alumni who graduated between the years 1985 and 1994, inclusive. Graduates generally felt most competent in their ability to treat dental caries and its sequelae and least competent in their ability to recognize myofascial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders. Very little association was demonstrated between demographic characteristics of the respondents and their competency self-ratings. The survey identified areas of strengths and weakness within the present comprehensive care curriculum as perceived by the graduating dentists.