Professional practice preparedness of graduating dental students Dr J. Manakil & Dr. R George Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Objective The aim of this study was to explore leaners perspective on the educational environment, their confidence, career paths, learning preferences, the knowledge in establishing and managing an independent practice, overall knowledge amongst Graduands, in integrating into the mainstream dental work force. The change in the educational system with time is inevitable, with a focus on students as the centre of learning.(Divaris et al., 2008; Scott, 2003) Henzi et al. (2005 &2007) has conducted surveys to understand dental student learning environment using student perspective project (SPP) and curriculum SWOT analysis (SWOT -Curriculum Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities for improvement, Threats to program quality) to identify the students’ perceptions of their educational experience and areas for improvements. They reported that students desired to be heard in developing an organized curriculum, with a focus on developing clinical experience in clinical technique and technology (Henzi, Davis, Jasinevicius, & Hendricson, 2007). It was reported that student’s perceived that integration into general dental practice could be better facilitated by more time in clinical placements and more knowledge into practice management application in work place(Henzi et al., 2007; Khatami, MacEntee, Pratt, & Collins, 2012; Manakil & George, 2011). Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Materials and methods Participants were the graduating students from the final year of the Graduate dental science program at the School of Dentistry Griffith University, Gold coast, Australia. The completed questionnaires were entered into a spread sheet, and the responses to items within all domains were tabulated. Each of the self-perceived knowledge responses was evaluated using the descriptive statistics to estimate the frequency and the items were correlated. Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Questionnaires: in five parts Personal data such as age, gender and fiscal status of students; the working hours per week, support from family/relatives, other scholarship /loan options that are favoured by the cohorts to support themselves during the five years program. Evaluated the self-perceived confidence in skills obtained over the length of the dental educational programme Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Analysed the student demographic employment preferences such as 1) private or public sector jobs 2) rural or city based practice 3) preferred speciality areas to practice Proficiency in continuation as a fully registered dental practitioner and in managing an independent practice. Learning preferences: that can enhance their employability and expertise additional year of internship paid or unpaid, and inclination for inclusion of any innovative subjects. Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Results : Part 1 personal information Response rate 89.6 %. Age (20-24) 72.5% Females 60.3 %. Financial support HECS-HELP 42%. Family/relatives 36.1% Worked part time 33.3 % Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Part 2 confidence in the skills Confident in their operative skills 60.8 % Confidence Male ( 77.8% ) Vs female (51%) (p=.011) to integrate into general dental practice soon after graduation. Team work and leadership within a practice : 98.5% as essential for a successful practice. Inter-professional collaboration 76.1% Need for a mentor 72.4 % Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Patient management skills (68.1%) Interpersonal skills (69.6%) Leadership skills (63.2%). Confidence to work with culturally diverse community (64.2%) The Corn-Bach’s alpha was 0.855 in this category suggesting a high internal consistency. Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Part 3: Career options & demography Immediate employment (91.2%) Independent practice at a later stage (72.1%) City practice (54.4%) (both males 48.1% & female 58.5%) No specific preferences (30.9%) Applied for a city practice (53.7%) Employment in a private practice (68.2 %) Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Part 4: Knowledge professional fiscal estimates Australian dental council registration (84.8%) Professional continuation cost (26.9%) Indemnity insurance students (43.5% ) Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Practice management fiscal estimates Practice establishment: $200-250K (35.8% ) Vs $500K, (31.3% ) Practice management costs $50K to $100K (32.3%)Vs $100K to $150K (30.8%). Primary cost : Staffing (44.9%). Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Part 5: on the learning preferences Community placements : practical experience (47.8 %) Increase clinical sessions (93.9%) Increase speciality sessions (62.1%) Overall learning (clinical and didactic) experience (50%) Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Residency Dentistry program (5 + 1) years (87.3%) Paid residency (76.2%) Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Additional learning experiences? Increase knowledge on practice management and administrative application Limited speciality training in orthodontics, implant and laser dentistry. Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Discussion Dental work force survey in Australia (2012): registered practitioners to be around 75.5% Student Concerns Anxiety to be employed Increasing debts Edge in the job market : speciality/clinical experience practice administration/ management skills Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Conclusion Increasing employability of the graduands Integration clinical skills + knowledge+ practice management skills Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University Thank You Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University