Are New Dentists Prepared for Clinical Practice? A Survey of Recent Graduates and Their Supervisors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure clinical competence in preventive and restorative dental procedures among recently graduated dentists entering US military service.

Methods: An anonymous, electronic survey was sent to 201 new dentists and 32 clinical supervisors in the US Air Force, Army, and Navy in 2022. Using a modified Dreyfus model of skill acquisition, new dentists, during their first year following graduation, completed self-assessments of their ability to perform 20 preventive and restorative procedures, and supervisors evaluated the proficiency of the new dentists under their supervision.

Results: A total of 59 (29.3%) new dentists and 25 (78.1%) supervisors responded. The proportion of ratings of competent or higher was calculated, along with a 95% confidence interval, and one-sample chi-square tests were used to compare the proportion against 50%. Supervisor ratings of competent or higher were significantly greater than 50% in caries diagnosis and treatment planning, caries risk assessment, Class III anterior resin composites, and posterior resin composites. Significant discrepancies between new dentist and supervisor ratings occurred with Class I and II amalgam restorations, restoring endodontically treated teeth not requiring a post, and crown preparation and delivery skill levels. When rating new dentists overall, supervisors assessed 71.3% of new dentists at novice or beginner skill level.

Conclusions: Supervisor ratings of new dentists' skill levels were significantly lower than the new dentists' self-assessments for the majority of procedures. Fewer than one-third (28.7%) of new dentists were evaluated as overall competent in preventive and restorative procedures during their first year following graduation.