Research Article
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Preparedness and Anxiety of Dental Students in the Transition from Preclinical to Clinical Practice

Year 2024, , 44 - 51, 30.08.2024
https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1511223

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to investigate the preparedness and anxiety levels of dental students transitioning to clinical practice and to examine the effects of sex, university, and observations.
Material and method A total of 182 students (58 males, 124 females) transitioning from preclinic to clinic participated in the study. The survey consisted of sections covering socio-demographic data, students' opinions on their preparedness for clinical practice, anxiety levels measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and confidence levels in various skill areas. Spearman's Rank correlation test was used for correlation analysis, while the Mann Whitney-U test for pairwise group comparisons.
Results No differences were found in preparedness between sexes, but males exhibited significantly higher confidence in various dental skills. Conversely, females reported significantly higher levels of state and trait anxiety. State university students (n=48) reported heightened workload expectations and elevated levels of state and trait anxiety. Conversely, private university students (n=134) demonstrated increased confidence and preparedness in dental practice-related knowledge and skills. Students who participated in observations (n=96) had lower preparedness and confidence levels in several dental areas, coupled with higher trait anxiety levels, compared to their peers who did not participate in observations (n=86). Finally, STAI scores were positively correlated with workload, negatively correlated with knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Conclusion Sex, school, and observation status have an impact on students' preparedness for clinical education, anxiety, and confidence in their professional abilities. Therefore, assessments and orientation programs that take these aspects into account can benefit students at this time of change.

Supporting Institution

This study was funded by The Scientific Technological Research Council of Turkey (1919B012107595)

References

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  • Ali K, Cockerill J, Zahra D, Qazi HS, Raja U, Ataullah K. Self-perceived preparedness of final year dental students in a developing country-A multi-institution study. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018; 22(4):e745–e750.
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  • Horst JA, Clark MD, Lee AH. Observation, assisting, apprenticeship: cycles of visual and kinesthetic learning in dental education. J Dent Educ. 2009;73(8):919–33.
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  • de Souza Ferreira F, Barros I, da Costa Neves T, Pazos JM, Garcia PPNS. Stress amongst dental students in the transition from preclinical training to clinical training: A qualitative study. Eur J Dent Educ. 2023;27(3):568–74.
  • Schmitter M, Liedl M, Beck J, Rammelsberg P. Chronic stress in medical and dental education. Med Teach. 2008;30(1):97-9.
  • Lloyd C, Musser LA. Psychiatric symptoms in dental students. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1989;177(2):61-9.
  • Almeida DM, Kessler RC. Everyday stressors and gender differences in daily distress. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1998;75(3):670-80.
  • Davis EL, Tedesco LA, Meier ST. Dental student stress, burnout, and memory. J Dent Educ. 1989;53(3):193-5.
  • Alexander DA, Haldane JD. Medical education: a student perspective. Med Educ. 1979; 13(5):336-41.
  • Radcliffe C, Lester H. Perceived stress during undergraduate medical training: a qualitative study. Med Educ. 2003;37(1):32-8.
  • Keith DJ, Rinchuse DJ, Kennedy M, Zullo T. Effect of text message follow-up on patient's self-reported level of pain and anxiety. Angle Orthod. 2013;83(4):605-10.
  • Halboub E, Alhajj MN, AlKhairat AM, Sahaqi AM, Quadri MFA. Perceived Stress among Undergraduate Dental Students in Relation to Gender, Clinical Training and Academic Performance. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2018;52(1):37-45.
  • Mishra M. Sources Of Stress in Government And Private College Students. Int J Res Cult Soc. 2017;1(10):287-294
  • Aldegheishem A, Azam A, Alfahed B, Aldegheishem G, Aldryhim H, Alshami A, Anwaigi L. Practice with confidence: Analyzing confidence level of final year dental students from four Saudi dental colleges in Riyadh. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(4), 2175-9.
  • Karaharju-Suvanto T. Gender differences in self-assessed clinical competence–a survey of young dentists in Finland. Eur J Dent Educ. 2014;18(4):234–40.
  • Sari M, Derdiyok U. The self-confidence of dental students in oral surgery. Odovtos-Int J Dent Sci. 2022; 23(3), 209-22.
  • Wang K, Yang B, Wu C, Zheng L. The moderation of satisfaction with working conditions in the association between workload and mental health among healthcare workers collecting test samples in the post-COVID-19 era. F Pub H. 2023;11:1106299.
Year 2024, , 44 - 51, 30.08.2024
https://doi.org/10.62243/edr.1511223

Abstract

References

  • Cowpe J, Plasschaert A, Harzer W, Vinkka-Puhakka H, Walmsley AD. Profile and competences for the graduating European dentist- update 2009. Eur J Dent Educ. 2010;14(4):193–202.
  • Ali K, Cockerill J, Zahra D, Qazi HS, Raja U, Ataullah K. Self-perceived preparedness of final year dental students in a developing country-A multi-institution study. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018; 22(4):e745–e750.
  • Barrero C, Duqum I, Petrola F. Dental students' perceived preparedness to treat patients in clinic after a fixed prosthodontics course: survey results of a case study. J Dent Educ. 2015;79(4):409–416.
  • Prince KJ, Boshuizen HP, van der Vleuten CP, Scherpbier AJ. Students' opinions about their preparation for clinical practice. Med Educ. 2005; 39(7):704-12.
  • Fine P, Leung A, Bentall C, Louca C. The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice. Eur J Dent Educ. 2019;23(2):159-167.
  • Pöhlmann K, Jonas I, Ruf S, Harzer W. Stress, burnout and health in the clinical period of dental education. Eur J Dent Educ. 2005;9(2):78-84.
  • Botelho M, Gao X, Bhuyan SY. An analysis of clinical transition stresses experienced by dental students: A qualitative methods approach. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018;22(3): e564-e572.
  • Gilmour AS, Welply A, Cowpe JG, Bullock AD, Jones RJ. The undergraduate preparation of dentists: Confidence levels of final year dental students at the School of Dentistry in Cardiff. Br Dent J. 2016;221(6):349-54.
  • Prince KJ, De Van, Wiel M, Scherpbier AJ, Can Der Vleuten CP, Boshuizen HPA. Qualitative analysis of the transition from theory to practice in undergraduate training in a PBL-Medical School. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2000;5(2):105-16.
  • Lynch CD, Ash PJ, Chadwick BL, Hannigan A. Effect of Community-Based Clinical Teaching Programs on Student Confidence: A View from the United Kingdom. J Dent Educ. 2010;74(5): 510-16.
  • Spielberger CD, Gorsuch RL, Lushene RE. Manual for State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Consulting Psychologist Press California; 1970
  • Heyes C, Bird G, Johnson H, Haggard P. Experience modulates automatic imitation. Brain Res. 2005;22(2):233–40.
  • Horst JA, Clark MD, Lee AH. Observation, assisting, apprenticeship: cycles of visual and kinesthetic learning in dental education. J Dent Educ. 2009;73(8):919–33.
  • LeCompte A, Oner N. A study of the adaptation and standardization of state-trait anxiety inventory to Turkish. IX. National Congress of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences Studies. 1975;11(4):457-62.
  • de Souza Ferreira F, Barros I, da Costa Neves T, Pazos JM, Garcia PPNS. Stress amongst dental students in the transition from preclinical training to clinical training: A qualitative study. Eur J Dent Educ. 2023;27(3):568–74.
  • Schmitter M, Liedl M, Beck J, Rammelsberg P. Chronic stress in medical and dental education. Med Teach. 2008;30(1):97-9.
  • Lloyd C, Musser LA. Psychiatric symptoms in dental students. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1989;177(2):61-9.
  • Almeida DM, Kessler RC. Everyday stressors and gender differences in daily distress. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1998;75(3):670-80.
  • Davis EL, Tedesco LA, Meier ST. Dental student stress, burnout, and memory. J Dent Educ. 1989;53(3):193-5.
  • Alexander DA, Haldane JD. Medical education: a student perspective. Med Educ. 1979; 13(5):336-41.
  • Radcliffe C, Lester H. Perceived stress during undergraduate medical training: a qualitative study. Med Educ. 2003;37(1):32-8.
  • Keith DJ, Rinchuse DJ, Kennedy M, Zullo T. Effect of text message follow-up on patient's self-reported level of pain and anxiety. Angle Orthod. 2013;83(4):605-10.
  • Halboub E, Alhajj MN, AlKhairat AM, Sahaqi AM, Quadri MFA. Perceived Stress among Undergraduate Dental Students in Relation to Gender, Clinical Training and Academic Performance. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2018;52(1):37-45.
  • Mishra M. Sources Of Stress in Government And Private College Students. Int J Res Cult Soc. 2017;1(10):287-294
  • Aldegheishem A, Azam A, Alfahed B, Aldegheishem G, Aldryhim H, Alshami A, Anwaigi L. Practice with confidence: Analyzing confidence level of final year dental students from four Saudi dental colleges in Riyadh. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(4), 2175-9.
  • Karaharju-Suvanto T. Gender differences in self-assessed clinical competence–a survey of young dentists in Finland. Eur J Dent Educ. 2014;18(4):234–40.
  • Sari M, Derdiyok U. The self-confidence of dental students in oral surgery. Odovtos-Int J Dent Sci. 2022; 23(3), 209-22.
  • Wang K, Yang B, Wu C, Zheng L. The moderation of satisfaction with working conditions in the association between workload and mental health among healthcare workers collecting test samples in the post-COVID-19 era. F Pub H. 2023;11:1106299.
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Dentistry (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Betül Yüsra Erenay 0009-0003-9834-2032

Ayse Ege Selman 0000-0002-9923-3562

Burcu Karaduman 0000-0002-8162-3896

Publication Date August 30, 2024
Submission Date July 5, 2024
Acceptance Date August 7, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024

Cite

Vancouver Erenay BY, Selman AE, Karaduman B. Preparedness and Anxiety of Dental Students in the Transition from Preclinical to Clinical Practice. EDR. 2024;2(2):44-51.