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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. Part 2 confidence in the skills
Confident in their operative skills %
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 %
Need for a mentor %
Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

8. 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 in this category suggesting a high internal consistency.
Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University

9. 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

10. 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

11. Practice management fiscal estimates
Practice establishment:
$ K (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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Dr. Manakil & Dr. George School of Dentistry, Griffith University
Discussion
Dental work force survey in Australia (2012):
registered practitioners to be around %
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

16. 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

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