Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education
TL;DR
Students and graduates widely support integrated clinical education as a valuable educational model that promotes holistic treatment planning and multidisciplinary coordination, however, to maximize educational effectiveness, assessment systems, organizational structure, and student-centered practices need to be developed.
Abstract
Background: Integrated (multidisciplinary) clinical education is gaining increasing importance in dental curricula as an approach aimed at developing comprehensive treatment planning and clinical competence. This study aims to evaluate the views of dental students, graduate dentists, and faculty members regarding integrated clinical education and to shed light on future curriculum arrangements.Methods: A 13-question survey was prepared in Google Forms and distributed to fourth- and fifth-year dental students, licensed dentists, and faculty members nationwide. A total of 178 participants from eleven different dental faculties responded to the survey. The survey consisted of multiple-choice and 5-point Likert scale questions covering educational value, structure, duration, assessment methods, and open-ended feedback. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.Results: The vast majority of participants found integrated clinical training to be necessary and beneficial. Endodontics, restorative dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, and periodontology were identified as the most fundamental disciplines to include in integrated clinical training. Participants preferred a structured but time-limited model (half a term or annual practice in the final year). A multidimensional, points-based assessment system was deemed more appropriate than threshold-based systems based on patient or procedure counts. Open-ended responses emphasized the importance of quality and case complexity over quantity and highlighted concerns about stress, workload, and organizational issues.Conclusions: Students and graduates widely support integrated clinical education as a valuable educational model that promotes holistic treatment planning and multidisciplinary coordination. However, to maximize educational effectiveness, assessment systems, organizational structure, and student-centered practices need to be developed.Keywords: integrated clinical training, multidisciplinary dentistry, dental curriculum