Dentaltown March 2021 - 54

SPECIAL SECTION

" Communication is nearly nonexistent. Forcing ~65 students into a small wet lab during preclinical labs in order to meet deadlines seems like a bad plan during a pandemic. "
- University of Kentucky dental student
I am also seeing a few other things from the data.
The situation in dental school, for the most part, has not changed the postgraduation plans
of students.
* Lack of transparency and communication from administration is a recurring theme.
* Professors not able to use Zoom/virtual technology properly has interfered with the
education.
* No dental school has discussed tuition reimbursement for missed clinical time.
As I receive more responses, I am going to do a larger write-up on this and I can share it with
whomever is interested. And, if you have any specific questions you would like me to add to my
questionnaire, I am open to suggestions. ■
*

1/17/2021

toothdoc11
Member Since: 09/21/13
Post: 2 of 43

vmesolella
Member Since: 06/29/16
Post: 4 of 43

How does this affect board examination on live patients? Manikin? ■
1/17/2021

This is so disturbing. I feel for these students. You take out a massive amount of debt to learn
a set of skills that are supposed to help you pay it all back. What a mess. ■
1/17/2021

johnho771
Member Since: 09/07/13
Post: 5 of 43

I think with possible decreases in patient experience at dental schools, live patient board
exams will be especially important this year in assuring that dental graduates are competent in
practicing dentistry. ■
1/17/2021

lipids
Member Since: 10/20/20
Post: 6 of 43

In 2020, some schools decided to adopt the manikin for license exam. It depends on the state
board, because some states don't allow non-live-patient exam. I attended one of the state board
meetings last year, but nothing was resolved even though a lot of dental students voiced their
opinions about not having enough clinical experience.
One of the students (she is currently a 4th-year) reached out to me and told me that the
school has them partner up to see patients, and count the credits twice for both students. ■
1/17/2021

Lambkin55
Member Since: 02/10/08
Post: 7 of 43

While not a dental school ... the hygiene program in my community did not accept a class
this past fall. With the limitations COVID has put on the program, the leadership felt they
could not assure a timely graduation. The time that was scheduled for the 1st-year class was
devoted to the 2nd-year class to make up for lost time due to COVID. By doing it that way, the
2nd-year class should get caught up on the clinic time lost to COVID and graduate on time. ■
1/17/2021

TRPV1
Member Since: 10/31/16
Post: 9 of 43

Many states are now doing manikin exams. I am taking the WREB on a manikin in May.
Some states like Wyoming are not accepting non-live-patient exams, but more are than are not.
There is a new licensing exam called the DL-OSCE that is accepted by a few states; it is
purely computerized with no actual drilling part. ■
1/17/2021

MARCH 2021 // dentaltown.com

DT0321_COVID_MBs.indd 54

2/18/21 10:38 AM

http://www.dentaltown.com

Dentaltown March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown March 2021