Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education

Alpaslan Can Çelik; Nimet Ünlü; Nevin Çobanoğlu; Merve Gürses

doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501

Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education

Abstract

Background: Integrated (multidisciplinary) clinical education is gaining increasing importance in dental curricula as an approach aimed at developing comprehensive treatment planning and clinical competence. This study aims to evaluate the views of dental students, graduate dentists, and faculty members regarding integrated clinical education and to shed light on future curriculum arrangements. Methods: A 13-question survey was prepared in Google Forms and distributed to fourth- and fifth-year dental students, licensed dentists, and faculty members nationwide. A total of 178 participants from eleven different dental faculties responded to the survey. The survey consisted of multiple-choice and 5-point Likert scale questions covering educational value, structure, duration, assessment methods, and open-ended feedback. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: The vast majority of participants found integrated clinical training to be necessary and beneficial. Endodontics, restorative dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, and periodontology were identified as the most fundamental disciplines to include in integrated clinical training. Participants preferred a structured but time-limited model (half a term or annual practice in the final year). A multidimensional, points-based assessment system was deemed more appropriate than threshold-based systems based on patient or procedure counts. Open-ended responses emphasized the importance of quality and case complexity over quantity and highlighted concerns about stress, workload, and organizational issues. Conclusions: Students and graduates widely support integrated clinical education as a valuable educational model that promotes holistic treatment planning and multidisciplinary coordination. However, to maximize educational effectiveness, assessment systems, organizational structure, and student-centered practices need to be developed. Keywords: integrated clinical training, multidisciplinary dentistry, dental curriculum

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, Selçuk University (Decision No: 2026/10; Date: 09.02.2026). All participants provided informed consent prior to participation. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dentistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Alpaslan Can Çelik ^*
0009-0008-9542-8566
Türkiye

Nimet Ünlü
0000-0002-6546-6368
Türkiye

Nevin Çobanoğlu
0000-0002-1633-8642
Türkiye

Merve Gürses
0000-0002-9161-9524
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 24, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45FH95DS

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Çelik, A. C., Ünlü, N., Çobanoğlu, N., & Gürses, M. (2026). Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education. Selcuk Dental Journal, 13(2), 240-246. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501

AMA

1.Çelik AC, Ünlü N, Çobanoğlu N, Gürses M. Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education. Selcuk Dent J. 2026;13(2):240-246. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501

Chicago

Çelik, Alpaslan Can, Nimet Ünlü, Nevin Çobanoğlu, and Merve Gürses. 2026. “Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education”. Selcuk Dental Journal 13 (2): 240-46. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501.

EndNote

Çelik AC, Ünlü N, Çobanoğlu N, Gürses M (August 1, 2026) Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education. Selcuk Dental Journal 13 2 240–246.

IEEE

[1]A. C. Çelik, N. Ünlü, N. Çobanoğlu, and M. Gürses, “Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education”, Selcuk Dent J, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 240–246, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501.

ISNAD

Çelik, Alpaslan Can - Ünlü, Nimet - Çobanoğlu, Nevin - Gürses, Merve. “Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education”. Selcuk Dental Journal 13/2 (August 1, 2026): 240-246. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501.

JAMA

1.Çelik AC, Ünlü N, Çobanoğlu N, Gürses M. Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education. Selcuk Dent J. 2026;13:240–246.

MLA

Çelik, Alpaslan Can, et al. “Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education”. Selcuk Dental Journal, vol. 13, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 240-6, doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501.

Vancouver

1.Alpaslan Can Çelik, Nimet Ünlü, Nevin Çobanoğlu, Merve Gürses. Opinions of Intern Dentists and Practicing Dentists on Integrated (Multidisciplinary) Clinical Education. Selcuk Dent J. 2026 Aug. 1;13(2):240-6. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1895501