Allison Scully and David Zahl, School of Dentistry
Principal Investigator: Allison Scully, clinical assistant professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry
Co-Principal Investigator(s): David Zahl, academic specialist/assistant dean, Curriculum Development and Assessment, School of Dentistry
Project Title: Using Asynchronous, Limited-facilitation Case-Based Exercises to Prepare Students to Enhance Student Learning and Preparedness for the Integrated National Board Dental Exam During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
DEI Focus
Funding Level: $5,000
Abstract: Patient experiences in dental schools across the United States have been declining for the past 2 decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem and further decreased student experiences with patients. This decrease further limits student experience with patients from diverse backgrounds and real-time practice at integrating basic and clinic knowledge needed to successfully challenge national board examinations. Case-based learning (CBL) is used in dental education to stimulate critical thinking in developing clinicians by promoting a deeper understanding of material through bridging the gap between didactic knowledge and clinical application. CBL participants demonstrate progression from novice- to expert-thinking patterns. The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations is changing how they evaluate predoctoral dental students’ preparedness-to-practice by implementing a new examination that is a single assessment, integrating basic and clinical sciences using clinical case vignettes. Case-based exercises are a necessary mechanism to prepare students for success in this new examination. Traditional case-based learning has several disadvantages including increased faculty time requirements and student scheduling challenges which do not allow consistent student groups. To overcome the challenges of traditional CBL and decreased experiences, this project aims to develop, assess and adapt asynchronous, limited facilitation case-based exercises for predoctoral dental students. Project outcomes will be assessed using a multifaceted approach including: pre-/post- intervention assessment and survey data, quick checks and comments from students. The first year will focus on collecting exploratory data. Project findings will be disseminated locally at the Curriculum Enhancement Grant Symposium and nationally at the American Dental Education Association Annual Session.
