Teaching Development Grants
Completed TDG Projects

Student Learning Experience & Survey

Assessing Competency of Dental Graduates from Problem-based Learning and Traditional Curriculums: Graduates’ and Employers’ Perceptions


Abstract

The first part of the study determined how to be prepared for dental practice, graduates from the integrated PBL dental undergraduate curriculum at HKU perceive themselves to be, and to identify factors associated with self-perceived preparedness. The results showed that dental graduates of HKU’s integrated PBL curriculum felt well prepared for the most fundamental aspects of dental practice. The odds of self-perceived well-preparedness were increased for cohorts graduating in 2004 and 2005 and graduates working in a non-solo dental practice. The apparent deficiencies of training in orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery will need to be addressed by continuing education, postgraduate training and planning for the new 6-year undergraduate curriculum in 2012.

The second part of the study compared graduates’ perceived preparedness for dental practice from a PBL and a traditional undergraduate curriculum in Hong Kong. The results showed that graduates of PBL and traditional curriculum perceive themselves to be similarly well prepared for dental practice, except in the specialty field of orthodontics.

The third part of the study evaluated employers’ perceptions of the competency of dentists who graduated from HKU integrated dental curriculum. The respondents felt that graduates from HKU’s integrated PBL curriculum were competent in the fundamental aspects of dental practice, except orthodontics and oral surgical treatments. This study highlights the need for regular supervisor feedback for improvement of the undergraduate dental education in the future.

Principal Investigator

Professor C.K.Y. Yiu, Faculty of DentistryContact

Project level

University-level project

Project Completion

December 2010

Deliverables (HKU Portal Login Required)

http://facdent.hku.hk/palmary/learning/cide_projects_004.html

[i] Refereed Journal Articles

Yiu CKY, McGrath C, Bridges S, Corbet E, Botelho M, Dyson J, Chan LK. Self-perceived preparedness for dental practice among graduates of the University of Hong Kong’s integrated PBL dental curriculum. European Journal of Dental Education, 17 Feb 2011. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2011.00681.x [Epub ahead of print]

Yiu CKY, McGrath C, Bridges S, Corbet E, Botelho M, Dyson J, Chan LK. Graduates’ perceived preparedness for dental practice from PBL and traditional curriculum. Journal of Dental Education.

Yiu CKY, McGrath C, Bridges S, Corbet E, Botelho M, Dyson J, Chan LK. Employer’s perception of competency of dental graduates from The University of Hong Kong’s integrated PBL dental curriculum [under review].

[ii] Refereed Conference Abstracts

Yiu CKY, McGrath CPJ, Bridges S, Corbet EF, Botelho MG, Dyson JE, Chan LK. Evaluation of dental graduates from the HKU integrated PBL curriculum. [21st Annual Scientific Meeting of SEAADE, Taipei Oct 2010]. Programme and Abstract: SO3.

Yiu CKY, McGrath C, Bridges S, Corbet EF, Botelho MG, Dyson JE, Chan LK. Selfperceived preparedness for dental practice among graduates of the University of Hong Kong’s integrated PBL dental curriculum. [Enhancing Learning Experience in Higher Education: International Conference, Hong Kong Dec 2010]. Programme and Abstract: P08.

[iii] Prize Awarded

Yiu CKY, McGrath CPJ, Bridges S, Corbet EF, Botelho MG, Dyson JE, Chan LK. Evaluation of dental graduates from the HKU integrated PBL curriculum. Best Oral Paper, SEAADE Dental Education Research Competition. 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of SEAADE, Taipei, Taiwan