Applicant selection procedures in endodontic specialty programs in the United States: program director's perspective.

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Endodontics
• Medical Education

Background:

• Endodontic specialty programs in the US face ongoing challenges in resident selection.
• Understanding director criteria and satisfaction is crucial for optimizing the recruitment process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key criteria used by US endodontic program directors in selecting residents.
• To assess director satisfaction with the current resident selection process.
• To evaluate the perceived impact of the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) score reporting change on applicant evaluation.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey with 38 questions was administered to 54 endodontic program directors in the United States.
• Survey topics included program information, application evaluation, interview process, decision-making, and director demographics.

Main Results:

• Interview ratings, dental school class rank, and GPR/AEGD experience were the most valued application factors.
• Endodontic program directors and academic endodontists were preferred sources for letters of recommendation.
• Directors expressed concern about initial applicant screening post-NBDE change but not final selection; they favored a uniform acceptance date but not the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program.

Conclusions:

• Key criteria for selecting endodontic residents include interview performance, academic standing, and relevant experience.
• The transition to pass/fail NBDE scoring is not perceived as a significant barrier to final resident selection.
• Implementing a uniform acceptance date could address major concerns regarding the current endodontic residency selection process.