Achieved competences in temporomandibular disorders/orofacial pain: a comparison between two dental schools in Europe. (28th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alsafi, Z.; Michelotti, A.; Ohrbach, R.; Nilner, M.; List, T.
• Is Part Of: European journal of dental education. Volume 19:Number 3(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 168
• Publication Date: 2014-08-28
• Subjects: Dentistry -- Study and teaching -- Europe -- Periodicals; Dentistry -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 617.60071
• DOI: 10.1111/eje.12117
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1396-5883

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="eje12117-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="eje12117-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>The aim was to study achieved competences in temporomandibular disorders (TMD)/orofacial pain (OP) at two universities by comparing student's knowledge and understanding, satisfaction with their education and confidence in their clinical competences of TMD/OP.</p> </sec> <sec id="eje12117-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The study was conducted in collaboration between Malmö University, Sweden—which uses problem‐based learning—and the University of Naples Federico II, Italy—which uses traditional educational methods. Final‐semester dental students responded to a self‐report questionnaire regarding their knowledge and understanding, interpretation of cases histories, clinical experience, satisfaction and confidence in clinical examination, management and treatment evaluation.</p> </sec> <sec id="eje12117-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>No significant difference was found between the students regarding knowledge and understanding. Eighty‐seven per cent of the Malmö students and 96% of the Naples students met the criterion on achieved competence. Malmö students had a higher per cent of correct diagnoses than Naples students in the interpretation of case histories. Overall, Malmö students reported most clinical experience and higher confidence than Naple students.</p> </sec> <sec id="eje12117-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The main findings were that students from Malmö and Naples were, similar in knowledge and understanding of TMD/OP and in satisfaction with their clinical competences. However, Malmö students perceived more confidence in clinical management of patients with TMD/OP. This may reflect that, besides the theoretical part of the programme, a sufficient level of clinical exposure to patients with TMD/OP is essential to gain competences in TMD/OP.</p> </sec> </abstract>