Verification on the Educational Effect of “Early Clinical Practice Ⅱ,” a Subject That Integrates Basic and Clinical Dental Sciences

Abstract

 Abstract The Faculty of Dentistry, Niigata University has provided the program “Early Clinical Practice Ⅱ,” which includes mini-lectures concerning basic science and clinical site visiting, alternating with group discussions or presentations on the relationship between the basic and clinical aspects of the practice for third-year students. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of this program. Eight-seven students who participated in the program in 2021 and 2022 were recruited for a questionnaire survey and 47 responses were analyzed. The results of the questionnaire showed that many students in both years responded that this program was meaningful, and that the number of students in each group or clinical departments to be visited was appropriate. Regarding infection control, which is essential for healthcare professionals, all students answered that they understood the lecture given at the initial guidance. The clinical departments that were relatively specialized or included hands-on training, as well as the basic science fields that were easily imagined to be directly related to clinical practice, tended to be selected as the fields of interest of the students. The results indicated that this program is useful in providing students with an understanding of the relationship between basic and clinical medicine. It is necessary to refine the program to raise students’ motivation to learn and encourage further cooperation with basic and clinical faculty members.