Changes in the Clinical Training of Dental Students at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Abstract

Dental education is an ever evolving process due to continual advancements in patient treatment. This article provides the reader with a look into an educational process that affords the student with better clinical experience without an increase in clinical training hours. When a comprehensive care model of education is introduced into a traditional care setting, the comparison of procedures completed with the previous 5 years results indicate an increase in the number of amalgam and composite restorations placed of 26% and an increase in crowns placed of 32.9%. Integration of the dental hygiene program and additional remote sites afford new populations of patients where clinical skills can be developed which will result in a graduate more able to go directly into private practice.