by
Ma. Lourdes E. Cantor, DDM
Prisca A. Lee, DDM
ABSTRACT
Based on the observations of clinical instructors and feedback from students, the Clinical Dentistry Department felt the need to restructure the clinical dentistry program of the University of Baguio. During the last semesters, there were more students who were retained in their clinical levels than those who were promoted or elevated. Some students have transferred to other schools with lesser clinical requirements so they can graduate on time. In relation to the aforementioned issues, the researchers conducted an evaluation of the clinical dentistry program of the University of Baguio. The outcome of the evaluation will be used as basis in re-structuring the program to make it more relevant and functional in honing the students’ skills and help them graduate on time. The evaluation of the program included: (1) student performance, specifically the extent of completion of clinical requirements, promotion, and attrition; (2) perceptions on the level of effectiveness of the guidelines and policies, clinical requirements, instruction/supervision, monitoring/recording/filing system, and physical set-up and facilities. Student performance was compared according to the students’ clinical level while the perceptions on the effectiveness of identified areas were compared according to group (clinical instructors and students). Documentary analysis of students’ records/tally sheets was done to determine their performance. The researchers utilized a validity-and reliability-tested questionnaire to gather data on the perceptions of clinical instructors and dental clinicians. The chi-square test was used to test the null hypotheses regarding students’ performance while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses regarding perceptions on the level of effectiveness of the program. There is a high extent of completion of clinical requirements among the students, although only 36.6% have reached the requirement for elevation to the higher clinical level which is 81-100% cases completed. The level of attrition is very low. Clinical level affected the completion of requirements and promotion. Clinical level did not affect attrition. The clinical dentistry program, considering the 5 identified areas, is highly effective. There is a significant difference in the perceptions of the clinical instructors and student clinicians. The clinical instructors gave a higher rating of highly effective than the rating of the clinicians of moderately effective.
| Published January 13, 2005 |
Issue UB RJ Vol. XXIX, No. 2 2005 |
