What Matters from Admissions? Identifying Success and Risk Among Canadian Dental Students

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine whether different student profiles would emerge in terms of high and low GPA performance in each year of dental school and to investigate the utility of preadmissions variables in predicting performance and performance stability throughout each year of dental school. Data from 11 graduating cohorts (2004-14) at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada, were collected and analyzed using bivariate correlations, latent profile analysis, and hierarchical generalized linear models (HGLMs). The data analyzed were for 616 students in total (332 males and 284 females). Four models were developed to predict adequate and poor performance throughout each of four dental school years. An additional model was developed to predict student performance stability across time. Two separate student profiles reflecting high and low GPA performance across each year of dental school were identified, and scores on cognitive preadmissions variables differentially predicted the probability of grouping into high and low performance profiles. Students with higher pre-dental GPAs and DAT chemistry were most likely to remain stable in a high-performance group across each year of dental school. Overall, the findings suggest that selection committees should consider pre-dental GPA and DAT chemistry scores as important tools for predicting dental school performance and stability across time. This research is important in determining how to better predict success and failure in various areas of preclinical dentistry courses and to provide low-performing students with adequate academic assistance.

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

“…Consistent with this, other investigators have found positive correlations among DAT scores, undergraduate GPA, and academic performance in dental school 2, 5,25 29 Some authors have also previously concluded that the DAT and GPA have less predictive validity for performance in the upper years of dental school, in which the curriculum is heavily weighted towards clinical skills 5, 26, 28 . However, the results of our study are consistent with a study that highlighted the importance of chemistry in academic performance 29 .…”

“…‐ 29 Some authors have also previously concluded that the DAT and GPA have less predictive validity for performance in the upper years of dental school, in which the curriculum is heavily weighted towards clinical skills 5, 26, 28 . However, the results of our study are consistent with a study that highlighted the importance of chemistry in academic performance 29 . Specifically, performance in chemistry involves a skillset in dealing with complex cognitive problems and abstract thinking that is separate from the other DAT components.…”

Unintended Demographic Bias in GPA/DAT‐Based Pre‐Admission Screening: An Argument for Holistic Admissions in Dental Schools

“…4,[11][12][13] As early as 1977, Horton et al stated, "There is concern among members of the admissions committee of dental colleges that students who are being selected may not be the ones who will make the best dentists." 4,[11][12][13] As early as 1977, Horton et al stated, "There is concern among members of the admissions committee of dental colleges that students who are being selected may not be the ones who will make the best dentists."…”

Elements of Undergraduate Education Related to Students' Academic Performance in the First Year of Dental School

“…Another retrospective analysis found undergraduate science GPA and cumulative GPA significantly differed for the top 10% of a class compared to other students 11 . Recent research on Canadian dental students found their undergraduate GPA and DAT Chemistry scores were related to academic performance in preclinical courses 12 …”