Assessing Clinical Competency in Dentistry

Abstract

<table><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Background: </strong></td></tr><tr><td>The evolving landscape of dental education necessitates standardized and effective methods for assessing clinical skills to ensure the highest levels of competency among dental students. This study aims to explore the viability of a novel standardized clinicalset of photographs as a lifelong learning and comprehensive evaluation tool indentistry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Methods: </strong></td></tr><tr><td>In the restorative dental sciences division, clinical photographs were systematically documented by students, capturing each step of various dental treatments. These photographs were compiled, and internationally recognized experts from various universities identified the most critical steps that provide valuable insights into clinicalcompetency and can be universally reproduced. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Results: </strong></td></tr><tr><td>The establishment of a standardized set of clinical photographs for each restorative procedure significantly streamlined the documentation process for students. This standardization facilitated more effective self-reflection, peer assessment, and enabled tutors to evaluate student performance uniformly using specific evaluation rubrics. Additionally, the standardized photographic documentation supports the development of AI software, trained to assess clinical competency and provide an immediate digital feedback on the documented photographs.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Conclusion: </strong></td></tr><tr><td>This method enhances the accuracy and reliability of evaluations, offering a holistic view of students' capabilities. Clinical portfolios foster continuous improvement, promoting a lifelong learning mindset essential for professional growth. They also allow students to showcase their development in critical areas such as communication, presentation, and ethical reasoning—skills crucial for high-quality patient care. The implementation of this approach provide educators with valuable insights into students' progress, enabling more precise tailored feedback and support.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Keywords: </strong></td></tr><tr><td>Clinical Portfolio, Clinical competence, Clinical Assessment , self-evaluation, AI Assessment.</td></tr></tbody></table>