Global Collaborative Approach to Dental Education Assessment: Development and Implementation of a Standardized Clinical Case Presentation Format

Abstract

<p>The evolving landscape of dental education necessitates standardized and effective methods for assessing clinical skills to ensure the highest levels of competency among dental students. This study aims to provide a valuable insight into the use of a validated standardized clinical set of photographs as a lifelong learning and comprehensive evaluation tool in dentistry.A cross-cultural, collaborative research methodology was employed involving international dental students from Italy, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Jordan, and Hong Kong. Participants were recruited to engage in a condensed research program that comprised group-based activities focusing on three key areas: a systematic review of various portfolio assessment methods used in dental education, an evaluation of photographic techniques in assessing clinical competence, and a multi-centered survey capturing students' perceptions of dental documentation practices across over 20 countries. Later, a standardized protocol for clinical presentation of restorative cases was developed. The protocol facilitates more effective self-reflection, peer assessment, and enables tutors to evaluate student performance uniformly using specific evaluation rubrics. Students currently utilize this protocol for documenting, assessing, and presenting their cases locally and internationally. This method enhances the accuracy and reliability of evaluations, offering a holistic view of students' capabilities. Additionally, the standardized photographic documentation supports the development of AI software, trained to assess clinical competency and provide an immediate digital feedback on the documented photographs. They also allow students to showcase their development in critical areas such as communication, presentation, and ethical reasoning—skills crucial for high-quality patient care.<br></p>