Do Factors from Admissions and Dental School Predict Performance on National Board Exams? A Multilevel Modeling Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association among admissions variables, dental school performance, and licensing exam performance for six cohorts of graduates of one dental school. Data from all dental school graduates of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada, from 2009 to 2014 who had matching National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) data (N=298) were analyzed. In the results, significant differences between cohorts were found on both the NDEB objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and written scores. Approximately 18% of the variation in OSCE scores was attributable to cohort differences and 82% to student differences. Approximately 10% of the variation in written scores was attributable to cohort differences and 90% to student differences. Several multilevel models were conducted. The final predictive model for NDEB OSCE scores consisted of age, Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) reading comprehension scores, year 2 average, and year 4 average. For predicting NDEB written exam scores, the final model consisted of DAT chemistry and year 1, 2, and 4 averages. The findings of this study showed that academic performance on admissions variables and in training predicted performance on dental licensing exams, whereas variables that captured noncognitive or interpersonal skills, such as interview scores, were not predictive. This difference may be due to construct mismatch, such that the outcome variables had no theoretical association with the predictors. Additional outcome measures (including noncognitive) are needed that have greater ecological validity in predicting potential for competence in practice.

Factors that influenced students to matriculate at a northeastern dental school: A comparative study

“…Considerable research has been conducted on how dental schools select students likely to be successful, however very little research has been done investigating what influences students when selecting a particular dental school. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The framework that guided the development of this survey was initially given to the Class of 2013 and later the Class of 2023 was based on a similar study conducted at a different institution, the University of Pittsburgh, published in 2001. This study of a single dental school at one point in time found that location, curriculum, and financial aid were the three most important factors affecting matriculation.…”

“…It is imperative that admissions departments select students likely to be successful in their programs. Much research has been conducted on using predictive measures of dental school performance to inform admissions processes 1–5 . There is great utility in admissions departments using these measures to guide decisions about accepting applicants.…”

“…There is great utility in admissions departments using these measures to guide decisions about accepting applicants. The Dental Admissions Test, various grade point average (GPA) calculations, and structured interviews along with other admissions variables guide schools in choosing which students to accept 1–5 . Determining the most useful factors for schools to consider when selecting a potential dental student has been the subject of research for many years, but far less research has been done to determine which factors applicants themselves consider when choosing a specific dental school 6–8 …”

“…Much research has been conducted on using predictive measures of dental school performance to inform admissions processes. [1][2][3][4][5] There is great utility in admissions departments using these measures to guide decisions about accepting applicants. The Dental Admissions Test, various grade point average (GPA) calculations, and structured interviews along with other admissions variables guide schools in choosing which students to accept.…”

“…The Dental Admissions Test, various grade point average (GPA) calculations, and structured interviews along with other admissions variables guide schools in choosing which students to accept. [1][2][3][4][5] Determining the most useful factors for schools to consider when selecting a potential dental student has been the subject of research for many years, but far less research has been done to determine which factors applicants themselves consider when choosing a specific dental school. [6][7][8] Enrollment in dental school is at its highest level with 2020-21 academic year having 25,995 students enrolled.…”