Teaching of physical diagnosis to dental students and oral surgery residents

To provide background information related to teaching of physical diagnosis, a survey was sent to all dental schools and approved oral surgery residencies. Seventy-eight percent of the schools and 90% of the residencies responded. Analysis of the data indicated only half of the reporting schools taught physical diagnosis to predoctoral students in a specifically designated course. Comparison of the type and duration of experience with that offered to medical students showed a great disparity between the two groups. The programs in physical diagnosis provided to oral surgery residents compared much more favorably with those offered medical students and were superior in some aspects. However, the total experience was not comparable to that which a resident in a medical specialty would obtain. It may be concluded from these data that the weakest link in the educational experience of the oral surgeon related to physical diagnosis lies in the predoctoral program.