Change is never easy: Exploring the transition from undergraduate to dental student in a U.S.-based program

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Student Transition
• Academic Support Systems

Background:

• Transitioning from undergraduate to dental education presents unique challenges for students.
• Understanding student-centered insights is crucial for improving dental school curricula and support structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the challenges dental students face during their transition from undergraduate to dental education.
• To compare student expectations with their actual experiences in dental school.
• To identify areas for improvement in dental school support systems and learning environments.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments.
• Questionnaires with open-ended and Likert scale questions administered to incoming and current dental students (2015/2016, 2015-2019).
• Qualitative and quantitative statistical analyses to evaluate student expectations versus experiences.

Main Results:

• Incoming dental students anticipate a greater workload and stronger academic support than received in undergraduate studies.
• All dental students reported higher stress levels and greater time management difficulties than expected.
• Significant discrepancies exist between dental students' initial expectations and their lived experiences.

Conclusions:

• Dental schools must address the gap between student expectations and reality to enhance the learning environment.
• Proactive measures can improve student well-being, academic success, and preparedness for oral healthcare careers.
• Strengthening academic support systems is vital for a smoother transition into dental education.