Comparison of Pre-clerkship and Clerkship Dentistry Students' Perspectives on Implant Education: A Cross-Section from Türkiye.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare pre-clerkship and clerkship groups to evaluate the effects of undergraduate education and clinical clerkship on dental students' perspectives on implant treatment and education.

Materials and methods: This survey study was conducted on all dentistry students at two universities in .... Data were collected between June and July 2024 through a digital survey form containing various questionnaires regarding students' knowledge, attitudes, perspectives, and future plans regarding implant treatment and education. All surveys were validated and reliable, with ... validity confirmed. Survey data compared responses from pre-clerkship and clerkship groups.

Results: A total of 394 students participated in this study. The survey's overall response rate was 43.7%. Of the participants, 55.8% were in the pre-clerkship group, while 44.2% were in the clerkship group. Statistically significant relationships were determined of both self-assessment knowledge and attitude levels related to the pre-clerkship and clerkship groups (p<0.05). The pre-clerkship group often expressed uncertainty, stating phrases like 'No knowledge' 'I cannot estimate,' or 'No opinion,' while the clerkship group demonstrated greater self-confidence. Both groups agreed on the necessity of undergraduate implant education, but the pre-clerkship group (71.9%) preferred the inclusion of clinical practice education more often than the clerkship group (57.8%).

Conclusions: This study indicates that a combination of theoretical education and clinical observation in the undergraduate curriculum enhances students' perception of implant treatment and education. However, there is still a need to improve theoretical education and incorporate practical application into the curriculum to achieve optimal outcomes.