Reviewing assessment strategies in European dental schools

Effectively assessing dental students' knowledge and skills is an important part of their education. Assessment techniques available to teachers, have become more diverse as new technologies are introduced. This study aimed to investigate what dental educators thought about current and future assessment techniques.

This was a mixed method study; quantitative data being collected at an annual dental educators' conference, via on-screen questions requesting: i) demographic information; ii) type of student assessment currently used; iii) impact of Covid-19 on student assessment, and iv) future perceptions of assessment. Questions were posed in real time using the 'Vevox' platform. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed. Qualitative data were collected on 'post-its' and analysed thematically.

101 participants attended the study. 59.1% (n = 60) had >11 years' experience. 64% (n = 55) considered their summative and formative assessments were effective in developing student learning. Few participants reported students' involvement in creating their own assessments (n = 8; 9.75%). 41.68% (n = 36) participants agreed it was a good idea for students to be involved in developing assessments, but only 9.75% (n = 8) reported it was already happening. Qualitative data indicated a reluctance to wholeheartedly embrace technology (including AI) when planning assessments. Most participants were not in favour of Co-creation or the use of some technologies.

Participants, reflected on the challenges of adopting a universal assessment approach. Dental educators should be given the institutional support and autonomy to implement the best assessment methods for their students. Most of this cohort of experienced dental educators reported that assessments facilitated student learning.

The role of assessment for dental students is essential as dental educators must ensure that dental students graduate with appropriate knowledge and technical skills to be safe when in general dental practice. The use of various assessment techniques needs to reflect the diversity of skills the students need to demonstrate.