This Working Section is concerned with evolving methods of assessment in dental education. It focuses on newer methods of assessment that might have relevance for broader application. Although it cannot provide answers to all the questions it raises, it is hoped that the contribution it makes is of value in the process of the development of a global network in dental education.
Japanese educational authorities and dental schools may need to consider a range of incentives and motivational strategies to nurture clinicians, educators and researchers who can function confidently in an increasingly borderless world. These could include increasing exposure to English language skills through mandatory lectures and seminars in English, increasing the range of inbound international students through student exchange programmes and encouraging students to develop and communicate with international colleagues. The Faculty of Dentistry at Tokyo Medical and Dental University has begun to increase exposure of students to English through the regular curriculum. Outcomes will be followed and evaluated.
Having dentistry as their first choice of educational programme was a significant stress predictor for Japanese students whilst the clinical practicum was a significant stress predictor for Vietnamese students. Previous academic performance was not a significant stress predictor for students at either dental school. Dental students of an integrated, active-learning curriculum reported lower stress levels than students of a traditional, discipline-based curriculum.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.