Students' perspectives and views toward a comprehensive based model of teaching: Confidence, effectiveness and challenges

Abstract Background The holistic methodology in education has been widely appreciated and implicated in dental schools in the last decade. Our department of conservative dentistry decided to reform the educational model of teaching from a traditional requirement-based model to a hybrid model incorporating comprehensive care treatment. The aim of our study was to assess students’ confidence and perspectives regarding the benefits of a comprehensive model of teaching. Methods A questionnaire was distributed at the end of the scholastic year 2018-2019 and designed to investigate students’ opinions on the benefits of the new model of teaching as well as difficulties encountered and possible shortcomings. In addition, self-perceived confidence level was assessed for purpose of comparison between their confidence in supervised tasks versus confidence during comprehensive case treatment. Results Completed responses were gathered from 127 students out of 202 giving a response rate of 63%. The majority of students believed that comprehensive cases allowed them to better address patients’ needs, gives higher satisfaction, positively influences self-confidence, permits greater exposure to clinical skills/techniques and enhances reasoning and analytical skills. However, their confidence was still lower in comprehensive case management when compared to supervised tasks. Conclusions Our students showed an appreciation of the comprehensive care model. Self-learning and didactic skills were enhanced. It would therefore be beneficial to adapt this methodology to earlier years and other disciplines, to enhance the effectiveness of education and achievement of learning outcomes.