The Validation of the Dental Undergraduates' Preparedness Assessment Scale (Du-Pas) and The Evaluation of the Effect of Integrated Clinical Practices on the Knowledge and Experience of Final Year Dental Students Using Du-Pas
Abstract
Objectives: The Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU-PAS) is a 50-item, two-part tool designed to assess final-year dental students’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills. This study aimed to validate the Turkish version of DU-PAS and evaluate the impact of traditional versus integrated clinical education on students’ knowledge, experience, and self-confidence.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the Turkish adaptation and validation of DU-PAS were completed by administering the scale to 272 final-year dental students via Google Forms. In the second phase, 53 students from Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Dentistry completed DU-PAS before and after their integrated clinical internship. Additionally, the Akın Self-Confidence Scale was administered before the internship, and the data were analyzed in relation to DU-PAS scores. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and item-total correlation coefficients. Paired t-tests were used to compare DU-PAS scores before and after the internship.
Results: Items with factor loading differences below 0.1 or loading on multiple factors were excluded from the scale. Specifically, items 6, 7, 12, 17, 18, 26, 29, 31, 46, and 50 were removed. Items 13 and 15 were excluded as they formed a single-item factor. Items 27 and 28 were also removed due to low internal consistency. After item removal, the final validated version consisted of 35 items. A positive correlation was found between students’ DU-PAS and self-confidence scores.
Conclusions: The Turkish version of the Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale was validated following item removal. The original 50-item scale was reduced to 35 items. It was observed that the self-confidence levels of final-year dental students were lower before the integrated internship compared to after its completion. The findings suggest that the integrated clinical internship positively contributed to students’ self-confidence.
Ethical Statement
Our study was approved by Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Dentistry, Ethics Committee for Non-Drug and Non-Medical Device Research (2022/17-124), and was conducted by the principles specified in the Declaration of Helsinki.
Supporting Institution
Necmettin Erbakan University Scientific Research Projects Coordination
Project Number
221724001
Thanks
Thanks to e-istatistik for statistical analyses.
References
- 1. Altan H, Almas B. Clinical evaluation of different types of injection systems and comparison of pain acceptance in palatal anesthesia in pediatric patients: a randomized controlled split-mouth study. J Dent Anesth Pain Med 2025;25(3):191.
- 2. Albino JE, Young SK, Neumann LM, Kramer GA, Andrieu SC, Henson L, Horn B, Hendricson WD. Assessing dental students’ competence: best practice recommendations in the performance assessment literature and investigation of current practices in predoctoral dental education. J Dent Educ 2008;72:1405-1435.
- 3. Ali K, Slade A, Kay EJ, Zahra D, Chatterjee A, Tredwin C. Application of Rasch analysis in the development and psychometric evaluation of dental undergraduates preparedness assessment scale. Eur J Dent Educ 2017;21(4):e135-e141.
- 4. Coelho C, Pooler J, Lloyd H. Using patients as educators for communication skills: Exploring dental students’ and patients’ views. Eur J Dent Educ 2018;22:291–299.
- 5. COPDEND. Copdend standards for dental educators. Manchester: The UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors; 2013.
- 6. Graffam B. Deriving better questions: creating better clinical instruction. Clin Teach 2008;5:98–102.
- 7. Harden RM, Crosby J. Amee guide no 20: the good teacher is more than a lecturer - the twelve roles of the teacher. Med Teach 2000;22:334-347.
- 8. Schönwetter DJ, Lavigne S, Mazurat R, Nazarko O. Students’ perceptions of effective classroom and clinical teaching in dental and dental hygiene education. J Dent Educ 2006;70:624-635.
- 9. Bertoli E, Lawson KP, Bishop SS. Dental students’ skills assessments: comparisons of daily clinical grades and clinical and laboratory assessments. J Dent Educ 2018;82:417-423.
- 10. Perry S, Burrow MF, Leung WK, Bridges SM. Simulation and curriculum design: a global survey in dental education. Aust Dent J 2017;62:453-463.
- 11. Bridges S, Yiu CK, Botelho MG. Design considerations for an integrated, problem-based curriculum. Med Sci Educ 2016;26:365–373.
- 12. Akın A. Öz-Güven Ölçeği'nin geliştirilmesi ve psikometrik özellikleri. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 2007;7(2):167-176.
- 13. Almahdi H, Alnaeem T, Alshawaf H, Alsubaya A, Hulayqah A, Khars M. Self-perceived preparedness of KFU dental graduates to practice dentistry: a cross-sectional study. Adv Med Educ Pract 2023;14:595-601.
- 14. Pandarathodiyil AK, Mani SA, Ghani WMN, Ramanathan A, Talib R, Zamzuri AT. Preparedness of recent dental graduates and final‐year undergraduate dental students for practice amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eur J Dent Educ 2022.
- 15. Buldur B. Pathways between parental and individual determinants of dental caries and dental visit behaviours among children: validation of a new conceptual model. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2020;48(4):280-287.
- 16. Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine 2000;25(24):3186-3191.
- 17. Hendricson WD, Kleffner JH. Curricular and instructional implications of competency-based dental education. J Dent Educ 1998;62:183-196.
- 18. American Dental Education Association. ADEA competencies for the new general dentist. J Dent Educ 2017;81:844-847.
- 19. Altan H, Gönder HY, Demirel E, Altan A, Tunçdemir AR, Zahra D, et al. Readiness for clinical practice: self-perceived confidence of final year dental students in Turkey—a multi-institutional study. MedEdPublish 2024;14:9.
Diş Hekimliği Öğrencileri- Hazırbulunuşluk Değerlendirme Ölçeğinin (DU-PAS) Türkçe Validasyonu ve Entegre Klinik Uygulamalarının Son Sınıf Diş Hekimliği Öğrencilerinin Bilgi ve Deneyim Düzeylerine Etkisinin DU-PAS Ölçeği ile Değerlendirilmesi
Abstract
Amaç: Diş Hekimliği Lisans Öğrencilerinin Hazırlık Değerlendirme Ölçeği (DU-PAS) son sınıf öğrencilerin bilgi, tutum ve becerilerini değerlendirmek için kullanılan iki bölümlü, elli sorudan oluşan bir psikometrik ölçektir. Çalışmamızda Diş Hekimliği Öğrencileri- Hazırbulunuşluk Değerlendirme Ölçeği'nin (DU-PAS) Türkçe geçerliliği doğrulanacak; geçerliliği doğrulanan DU-PAS kullanılarak geleneksel ve entegre klinik eğitim modelinin diş hekimliği son sınıf öğrencilerinin bilgi, deneyim ve özgüvenlerine etkisi karşılaştırılacaktır.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmamız iki basamakta gerçekleştirildi. Birinci basamakta DU-PAS ölçeğinin geçerlilik-güvenirliği, kültürel adaptasyonu yapılan ölçeğin 272 son sınıf öğrencisine Google Form üzerinden uygulanmasıyla gerçekleştirildi. İkinci aşama ise Necmettin Erbakan üniversitesi diş hekimliği fakültesi öğrencilerin entegre stajı öncesi ve sonrası özgüvenleri ve DU-PAS ilişkisi ölçüldü. Ayrıca, entegre staj öncesinde Akın Öz Güven Ölçeği uygulanmış ve elde edilen veriler DU-PAS ile ilişkilendirildi. Ölçeğin iç tutarlılığını analiz etmek için Cronbach alfa katsayısı ve madde-toplam korelasyon katsayıları kullanıldı. DU-PAS puanlarının staj öncesi ve sonrası karşılaştırılması için bağımlı t-testi uygulandı.
Bulgular: İlk analiz sonucunda bir maddenin iki farklı faktör altında yer alması faktör analizi için kabul edilebilir bir durum olmadığından ve bir maddenin farklı faktörler altındaki değerleri arasındaki farkın 0,1’den küçük olması durumuna ölçekten çıkartılması gerekmektedir. M6, 12, 17, 18, 26, 29, 31, 46, 50,7 maddeleri birden fazla faktör altından yer aldığı için ölçekten çıkarılmıştır. Madde 13 ve madde 15 ise tek maddeli bir faktör oluşturdukları için ve tek maddeli bir faktör olamayacağından ölçekten çıkarılmıştır. Madde 28 ve madde 27 ise ikisi birlikte bir faktör oluşturmakta ve oluşan faktörün Cronbach’s alfası düşük güvenirlikte olduğu için bu maddelerde ölçekten çıkarılmıştır. Özgüven ile hazırbulunuşluk arasında pozitif korelasyon vardır.
Sonuçlar: Diş Hekimliği Öğrencileri- Hazırbulunuşluk Değerlendirme Ölçeği madde çıkarma yapılarak Türkçe diline valide edilmiştir. 50 maddde olan ölçek 35 maddeli şekilde kullanılabilmektedir. Diş hekimliği son sınıf öğrencilerinin entegre stajı öncesi özgüvenleri entegre stajı sonrasından daha düşük olduğu görülmüştür. Entegre stajının özgüveni olumlu yönde etkilediği elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar arasındadır.
Project Number
221724001
References
- 1. Altan H, Almas B. Clinical evaluation of different types of injection systems and comparison of pain acceptance in palatal anesthesia in pediatric patients: a randomized controlled split-mouth study. J Dent Anesth Pain Med 2025;25(3):191.
- 2. Albino JE, Young SK, Neumann LM, Kramer GA, Andrieu SC, Henson L, Horn B, Hendricson WD. Assessing dental students’ competence: best practice recommendations in the performance assessment literature and investigation of current practices in predoctoral dental education. J Dent Educ 2008;72:1405-1435.
- 3. Ali K, Slade A, Kay EJ, Zahra D, Chatterjee A, Tredwin C. Application of Rasch analysis in the development and psychometric evaluation of dental undergraduates preparedness assessment scale. Eur J Dent Educ 2017;21(4):e135-e141.
- 4. Coelho C, Pooler J, Lloyd H. Using patients as educators for communication skills: Exploring dental students’ and patients’ views. Eur J Dent Educ 2018;22:291–299.
- 5. COPDEND. Copdend standards for dental educators. Manchester: The UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors; 2013.
- 6. Graffam B. Deriving better questions: creating better clinical instruction. Clin Teach 2008;5:98–102.
- 7. Harden RM, Crosby J. Amee guide no 20: the good teacher is more than a lecturer - the twelve roles of the teacher. Med Teach 2000;22:334-347.
- 8. Schönwetter DJ, Lavigne S, Mazurat R, Nazarko O. Students’ perceptions of effective classroom and clinical teaching in dental and dental hygiene education. J Dent Educ 2006;70:624-635.
- 9. Bertoli E, Lawson KP, Bishop SS. Dental students’ skills assessments: comparisons of daily clinical grades and clinical and laboratory assessments. J Dent Educ 2018;82:417-423.
- 10. Perry S, Burrow MF, Leung WK, Bridges SM. Simulation and curriculum design: a global survey in dental education. Aust Dent J 2017;62:453-463.
- 11. Bridges S, Yiu CK, Botelho MG. Design considerations for an integrated, problem-based curriculum. Med Sci Educ 2016;26:365–373.
- 12. Akın A. Öz-Güven Ölçeği'nin geliştirilmesi ve psikometrik özellikleri. Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 2007;7(2):167-176.
- 13. Almahdi H, Alnaeem T, Alshawaf H, Alsubaya A, Hulayqah A, Khars M. Self-perceived preparedness of KFU dental graduates to practice dentistry: a cross-sectional study. Adv Med Educ Pract 2023;14:595-601.
- 14. Pandarathodiyil AK, Mani SA, Ghani WMN, Ramanathan A, Talib R, Zamzuri AT. Preparedness of recent dental graduates and final‐year undergraduate dental students for practice amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eur J Dent Educ 2022.
- 15. Buldur B. Pathways between parental and individual determinants of dental caries and dental visit behaviours among children: validation of a new conceptual model. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2020;48(4):280-287.
- 16. Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine 2000;25(24):3186-3191.
- 17. Hendricson WD, Kleffner JH. Curricular and instructional implications of competency-based dental education. J Dent Educ 1998;62:183-196.
- 18. American Dental Education Association. ADEA competencies for the new general dentist. J Dent Educ 2017;81:844-847.
- 19. Altan H, Gönder HY, Demirel E, Altan A, Tunçdemir AR, Zahra D, et al. Readiness for clinical practice: self-perceived confidence of final year dental students in Turkey—a multi-institutional study. MedEdPublish 2024;14:9.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Dentistry (Other) |
| Journal Section | Original Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | 221724001 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | March 28, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 23, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025Volume: 28 Issue: 2 |
Cite
Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (Cumhuriyet Dent J, CDJ) is the official publication of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry. CDJ is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancement of dentistry. The aim of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of dentistry. First issue of the Journal of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry was published in 1998. In 2010, journal's name was changed as Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. Journal’s publication language is English.
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