There is value in taking the time to teach history of dentistry and ethics in dentistry curriculum

Abstract

Objectives The teaching and assessment of soft skills such as ethical behaviour remains a challenge to dental schools. This paper aims to attempt to help the description and retrospective evaluation of a history of dentistry and medical ethics course in the dentistry curriculum of Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. Methods The study included students (n=78) of the Faculty of Dental Sciences of Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University. History of dentistry and medical ethics are taught each for 1 h, total 2 h per week in the curriculum (theoretical/cases). Students’ academic performance was evaluated with mid-term and final exams. Participants were assessed according to their level of success and failure. Results Participants of the study were 51.3% (n=40) male and 48.7% (n=38) female students. The success rate of the midterm exam was 78.34%, while the success rate of the final was 76.32%. Mid-term exam success was not statistically significantly different than final exam (p>0.215). Conclusions The success of our students in the history of dentistry and ethics course are promising clues for us to propose that there is value in taking the time to teach the course in dental curriculum.

Factors Affecting Clinical Performance among Pakistani Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It is required by all the instructors to brief the undergraduates properly before the start of any clinical procedure and to teach them in depth how to take history and examine clinically. Teaching history taking and clinical examination on the patient to dental students can positively influence their sense of belonging to the discipline and improve their ethical conduct as future dentists [12].…”

Ética en el Currículo Odontológico en 30 Facultades de Odontología de Latinoamérica y España

“…UU, obtuvieron como resultado que la mayor cantidad implementa el curso de ética en el primer año académico, a diferencia de nuestra investigación donde la mayor cantidad de universidades implementa el curso de ética en el tercer y cuarto año. Sin embrago, hay que tener en cuenta que impartir el curso de ética en el mismo año de clínica podría afectar el interés por el curso (Ergünol et al, 2022).…”