Dental student education in oncology: design and assessment of an undergraduate course

Five-year survival rates of oral cancer patients remain poor. To better prepare undergraduate dental students to recognize this problem and contribute to solutions, a 24-hour lecture course in oral oncology was instituted. A pre-course quiz, daily quizzes, a midterm and a final examination were administered to assess student knowledge. The course covered all aspects of oral cancer from epidemiology and etiology, through diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Student oncology knowledge was assessed by analyzing the test results of two consecutive third-year dental classes. Overall, students adequately meet the course objectives, but assessment of specific topics reveal some deficits in particular areas. Evaluation of student knowledge provides valuable information to instructors for improving course content and student achievement.