Entrustable professional activities framework for assessment in predoctoral dental education, developed using a...

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Competency-Based Assessment
• Professional Activities

Background:

• Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are crucial for defining core competencies in professional education.
• The framework of EPAs aids in assessing a graduating dentist's readiness for independent practice.
• Developing a standardized set of EPAs is essential for dental education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and develop a set of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for predoctoral dental education.
• To establish a consensus-based framework for assessing dental student competencies.
• To ensure graduating dentists are prepared for independent clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi consensus approach was employed over three phases.
• Participant feedback was gathered from academic deans and dental education experts.
• Workshops and reactor panels were utilized to refine the EPAs.

Main Results:

• EPAs were rated as satisfactory for acceptability, curriculum integration, and clarity.
• The developed EPAs were deemed "entrustable, essential, and important tasks of the profession."
• Qualitative feedback emphasized the importance of precise wording and measurability in EPA statements.

Conclusions:

• A preliminary set of EPAs for predoctoral dental education was successfully designed.
• The study utilized a systematic consensus-building approach with diverse participants.
• The developed EPAs provide a foundation for competency assessment in dental training.