Clinical undergraduate teaching

At the present time, most endodontists who teach in the undergraduate dental school clinics do not receive formal training. Dental schools have traditionally assumed that the expert knowledge and technical skills that these endodontists could contribute would be sufficient to allow them to teach successfully. Today, we know that this is not always the case. To improve the instructional function of the dental clinics, instructors should recognize and assume their responsibilities as tone-setters, facilitators, and role models. They should define their goals and objectives clearly, and strive to create an open and trusting learning environment for their students. Instructors must also recognize the significance of their impact on the development of their students. Formal pedagogical training would assist instructors in fulfilling these responsibilities.