Reliability and predictive validity of a comprehensive preclinical OSCE in dental education

This study examined the reliability and predictive validity of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) used to assess the transition from preclinical to clinical education in a dental school. The examination is administered prior to clinical training at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine to assess student preparedness for patient care activity. The study population consisted of seventy-five students in the Class of 2010 and seventy students in the Class of 2011. The total reliability of the exam was assessed by Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Using polynomial regression, the predictive validity of the examination was evaluated by correlating student scores on the OSCE with clinical performance as measured by successfully completed clinical procedures during the first year of clinical training. Findings indicate a highly reliable exam (α=0.86 and α=0.80) with a moderately high correlation predicting future clinical performance (r=0.614, p<0.0001; r=0.540, p<0.0001) for the Classes of 2010 and 2011, respectively. The findings suggest that an OSCE can serve as a reliable and predictive assessment during the transition from preclinical to clinical education in the predoctoral dental curriculum.