Are New Dentists Prepared for Clinical Practice? A Survey of Recent Graduates and Their Supervisors

The purpose of this study was to measure clinical competence in preventive and restorative dental procedures among recently graduated dentists entering US military service.

An anonymous, electronic survey was sent to 201 new dentists and 32 clinical supervisors in the US Air Force, Army, and Navy in 2022. Using a modified Dreyfus model of skill acquisition, new dentists, during their first year following graduation, completed self-assessments of their ability to perform 20 preventive and restorative procedures, and supervisors evaluated the proficiency of the new dentists under their supervision.

A total of 59 (29.3%) new dentists and 25 (78.1%) supervisors responded. The proportion of ratings of competent or higher was calculated, along with a 95% confidence interval, and one-sample chi-square tests were used to compare the proportion against 50%. Supervisor ratings of competent or higher were significantly greater than 50% in caries diagnosis and treatment planning, caries risk assessment, Class III anterior resin composites, and posterior resin composites. Significant discrepancies between new dentist and supervisor ratings occurred with Class I and II amalgam restorations, restoring endodontically treated teeth not requiring a post, and crown preparation and delivery skill levels. When rating new dentists overall, supervisors assessed 71.3% of new dentists at novice or beginner skill level.

Supervisor ratings of new dentists' skill levels were significantly lower than the new dentists' self-assessments for the majority of procedures. Fewer than one-third (28.7%) of new dentists were evaluated as overall competent in preventive and restorative procedures during their first year following graduation.