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The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice

Fine, P; Leung, A; Bentall, C; Louca, C; (2019) The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice. European Journal of Dental Education , 23 (2) pp. 159-167. 10.1111/eje.12415. Green open access

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Increasing confidence through learning has the potential to change General Dental Practitioners' (GDPs) perceptions of clinical practice. By examining how changes in confidence influence the clinical practice of two cohorts of GDPs, during and following an extended period of postgraduate training, we show the importance of confidence to GDPs and that a lack of confidence is a primary reason why GDPs attend postgraduate training courses. METHODS: A mixed method approach was adopted for this study. Quantitative data were collected via a series of linked questionnaires; qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions, interviews and contemporaneous field notes. Analysis was undertaken using SPSS software and a phenomenological approach respectively. FINDINGS: Participants indicated an increase in confidence in their ability to undertake dental procedures, which led to an increase in confidence in communication skills, and their ability to undertake complex restorative procedures. This led to greater treatment acceptance by patients resulting in better 'job satisfaction'. DISCUSSION: A sense of confidence is central to personal development and on-going study, leading to firstly, an improved capability to perform tasks (competence), secondly, confidence is a product of the relationship and trust of those people associated with the individual/professional and thirdly, the correct level of challenge is important to confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The issue of confidence has not been looked at in postgraduate dentistry but it is well recognised in medical education fields. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Type: Article
Title: The impact of confidence on clinical dental practice
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/eje.12415
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.12415
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Postgraduate dental education, clinical dental practice, confidence, educational experience
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute > EDI Continuing Professional Develop.
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10065579
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