Developing time management with preclinical dental students via a preclinical exercise in an organization

Developing time management is an important aspect of a dental student's passage to clinical care and in their growth as a professional. Suitable time management and preparedness can potentially impact the prognosis of a successful dental appointment. The objective of this study was to determine if a time management exercise could be effective to increase students' preparedness, organization, time management, and reflection during simulated clinical care prior to transitioning to the dental clinic.

Students completed five-time management exercises during the term preceding their entrance into the predoctoral restorative clinic which included appointment planning and organization, and reflection once finished. Pre- and post-term surveys were used to determine the impact of the experience. Quantitative data was analyzed using a paired t-test and the qualitative data was thematically coded by the researchers.

Students reported a statistically significant increase in their self-confidence of clinical readiness after completion of the time management series, and all students completed the surveys. The themes indicated by students through their comments in the post-survey question regarding the experience were as follows: planning and preparation, time management, the practice of procedures, concern about workload, faculty encouragement, and unclear. Most students also reported the exercise to be beneficial for their predoctoral clinical appointments.

It was determined that the time management exercises were effective for the students as they transitioned to treating patients in the predoctoral clinic and can be used for future classes to increase their success.