Graduates’ and employers’ perceptions on competencies obtained from an undergraduate dental curriculum

Nik-Madihah Nik-Azis, and Badiah Baharin, and Dalia Abdullah, and Chan, Lai Peng and Lok, Yi Ying (2021) Graduates’ and employers’ perceptions on competencies obtained from an undergraduate dental curriculum. Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 19 (1). pp. 81-88. ISSN 1675-8161

[img] PDF
704kB

Official URL: https://ejournal.ukm.my/jskm/issue/view/1272

Abstract

The effectiveness of a dental curriculum as reflected by the competencies of the graduates is paramount in ensuring its relevance in the rapidly evolving field of dentistry. This work aimed to assess the competencies of dental graduates of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as perceived by the graduates and their employers on the basis of the core competencies listed in the undergraduate dental curriculum. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 43 questions based on eight competency domains were sent to all UKM dental graduates of years 2012 to 2015 and to senior dental officers who represented their employers. The eight domains assessed were as follows: 1) gathering information at chair-side, 2) diagnosis, 3) treatment planning, 4) treatment and prevention, 5) community-based, 6) management and administrative, 7) communication and 8) personal management and professional development. a total of 132 graduates (75%) and 18 employers (55%) responded. Only domain E on community-based skills was collectively rated ‘satisfactory’ while the rest of the seven domains had an ‘excellent’ rating by all respondents. With regard to individual skill, basic life support was rated very low for both groups (38.6% graduates and 23.5% employers). A strong association was found between the scores given by the graduates and their employers (p= 0.00). Generally, no difference was found between the scores of graduates from different years. The findings allow an evaluation of the curriculum in a myriad of angles. Although the graduates reported a good level of competency in most domains, the employers were reserved on the community-based skills. Poor competency in the key skill of basic life support in medical emergencies was highlighted and must be addressed in the curriculum or during training at the workplace.

Item Type:Article
Keywords:Competence; Perception of graduates; Perception of employers; Dental education; Malaysia
Journal:Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia
ID Code:16632
Deposited By: ms aida -
Deposited On:20 May 2021 02:46
Last Modified:25 May 2021 02:43

Repository Staff Only: item control page