ENHANCING INTERDISCIPLINARY COMPETENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL EDUCATION: THE ROLE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE IN PERIODONTAL-PROSTHODONTIC INTEGRATED CARE PLANNING
Main Article Content
Keywords
Reflective practice, interdisciplinary competence, dental education, periodontal-prosthodontic care, undergraduate dentistry.
Abstract
Introduction: The interdisciplinary competence is now being paramount in current dental education through periodontal-prosthodontic care since integrated planning is of utmost importance in treatment. This is helped by the reflective practice as it encourages critical thinking and collective decision making.
Objective: To find out how reflective practice can be used to promote interdisciplinary competence in undergraduate periodontal-prosthodontic integrated care planning by dental students.
Materials and Method: The study was a quantitative and cross-sectional study conducted at University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad in the duration from October, 2024 to March, 2025. There was a survey of reflective practices and interdisciplinary competence of 3rd year and final year dental students with a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. SPSS was utilized in data analysis.
Results: The response rate of the survey among 120 students was 93.3 percent (112 respondents). There was a substantial correlation in a positive direction (r = 0.61, p < 0.01) between reflective practice and interdisciplinary competence. Obstacles were lack of time and minimal reactions by faculty.
Conclusion: The reflective practice is such a good way of increasing interdisciplinary competence. Formative reflection and enhanced participation of faculty play essential roles in equipping teamwork, proficient dentists.
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Dr Summan Dost
Assisant Professor Periodontology, Niazi Medical and Dental College, Sargodha, Pakistan
Dr Sakina Qazi
Assisant Professor Periodontology, University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Dr Asma Hafeez
Registrar Periodontology, University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Dr Saba Anjum
Registrar Prosthodontics, University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Dr Uswah Fatima Javaid
Registrar Periodontology, University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Dr Kiran Tariq
Assistant Professor Prosthodontics, University Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan