Exploring Optimal Number of Clinical Encounters for Competency development in a fresh Dental graduate: Insights from a Pilot Study at Islamic International Dental College and Hospital

Abstract

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this nationwide pilot study was to compare the requirements of clinical encounters in different dental specialties and in institutions operating in the private and the public sector in Pakistan. Although there are the required clinical quotas by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the difference in the genuine clinical exposure among dental institutions may affect graduate readiness.

Methods: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IIDC/IRC02024/001/009), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. A faculty validated questionnaire was administered to senior institutional representatives at PMDC-recognized dental colleges across all four provinces of Pakistan. Responses were received from 22 out of 50 institutions, yielding a response rate of 44%, comprising 5 public sector and 17 private sector colleges. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24. Clinical quota requirements were summarized using frequencies, measures of central tendency, and range with mode prioritized to minimize the influence of outliners; no inferential statistical tests were employed.

Results: The results revealed considerable variability in clinical quotas across specialties. In oral and maxillofacial surgery, the mode for simple extractions was 75(range: 10-150), while complicated extractions had a mode of 15(range: 0-45). The mode for local anesthesia administration was also 75(range:10-105). In operative dentistry, wide variation was observed in restoration quotas, with modes of 15 for both amalgam and composite restorations, requirements for root canal treatments remained consistently low, with a mode of 3. Prosthodontic denture requirements showed modes of 3, while the mode for fixed orthodontic appliance fabrication was 1. In periodontology, the scaling requirements are clustered with modes of 25 for manual and 10 for ultrasonic procedures. Mean history taking requirements were lowest in Orthodontics and periodontology. Overall, public sector institutions tended to higher mean quotas for commonly performed procedures. 

Conclusions: Undergraduate dental clinical encounter requirements in Pakistan vary widely and appear driven by local capacity rather than standardized targets. Nationally benchmarked encounter ranges aligned with competency-based assessment may improve equity and graduate preparedness in resource-limited settings.

Keywords:  Undergraduate dental education, Clinical competency, Clinical encounter, Procedural quotas, Competency-based education