Developing entrustable professional activities for undergraduate operative dentistry clerkship

Area of Science:

• Dental Education Research
• Medical Education
• Operative Dentistry

Background:

• Theoretical knowledge often overshadows practical training in dental schools globally.
• Graduates frequently lack sufficient hands-on experience, hindering their readiness for practice and meeting societal needs.
• A critical gap exists in preparing dental students for independent clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a set of core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for operative dentistry clerkships.
• To enhance the practical competencies and readiness of dental graduates for effective practice.
• To bridge the gap between academic training and the demands of the dental job market.

Main Methods:

• A multi-stage research approach including literature review, Nominal Group Technique (NGT), and Delphi method.
• Utilized Queen's EQual Rubric and expert panel review for rigorous validation.
• Incorporated faculty and medical educationist input throughout the development process.

Main Results:

• Ten validated EPAs were identified for operative dentistry clerkships, covering entrustment levels 1-4.
• EPAs encompass essential competencies such as medical expertise, communication, professionalism, and patient care.
• The validation process confirmed alignment with required graduate competencies using NGT, Delphi, and EQual Rubric.

Conclusions:

• Successfully developed and validated ten EPAs for operative dentistry education.
• EPAs enhance practical skills from patient history to complex procedures, improving graduate readiness.
• Emphasizes the need for continuous curriculum evaluation and adaptation in dental education.