Research Article

Competency Assessment of Final-Year Dental Students in Tunisia

Table 1

Self-assessed skills well required at the end of the curriculum and their association with demographic variables.

Competency itemCompetency assessmentSexRepeated grades
Very competent N (%)Competent N (%)Not competent N (%)Not at all competent N (%)Do not know N (%) value value

1C22: undertaking supragingival and subgingival scaling and root debridement67 (46.5)73 (50.7)3 (2.1)0 (00)1 (0.7)0.2350.369
2C2: evaluating the periodontium, establishing a diagnosis, and formulating a treatment plan67 (46.2)73 (50.4)5 (3.4)0 (00)0 (00)0.0410.138
3C24: identifying the location, extent and degree of activity of dental caries and tooth wear71 (49)68 (46.9)5 (3.4)0 (00)1 (0.7)0.6930.179
4C12: taking and interpreting dental radiographs30 (21)105 (73.4)6 (4.2)2 (1.4)2 (1.4)0.7100.048
5C25: restoring diseased and damaged teeth59 (40.7)77 (53.1)7 (4.8)1 (0.7)1 (0.7)0.8970.073
6C16: educating patients and managing primary oral health care55 (37.9)81 (55.9)8 (5.5)1 (0.7)0 (0.0)0.2990.187
7C29: performing uncomplicated extraction of erupted teeth77 (53.1)56 (38.6)8 (5.5)2 (1.4)2 (1.4)0.4760.001
8C7: sharing information and professional knowledge with both the patient and other professionals42 (29)91 (62.8)10 (6.9)1 (0.7)1 (0.7)0.0980.466
9C35: conducting and discussing planning of restorative and prosthetic treatment33 (22.8)100 (69)10 (6.9)0 (00)1 (0.7)0.7460.014
10C50: providing urgent dental treatment36 (24.8)97 (66.9)9 (6.2)3 (2.1)0 (00)0.6920.494
11C6: identifying patient expectations, desires, and attitudes48 (33.1)84 (57.9)11 (7.6)1 (0.7)1 (0.7)0.5430.257
12C4: recognizing clinical limitations and knowing when to refer appropriately63 (43.4)67 (46.2)9 (6.2)6 (4.2)0 (00)0.0350.234
13C42: performing a temporary prosthesis (crown, bridge)33 (22.8)95 (65.5)15 (10.3)2 (1.4)0 (00)0.4430.150
14C1: protecting confidential patient data49 (33.8)78 (53.8)13 (8.9)5 (3.4)0 (00)0.4210.018
15C26: performing endodontic treatment on uncomplicated single and uncomplicated multirooted teeth42 (29)84 (57.9)13 (9)6 (4.)0 (00)0.3740.066
16C9: identifying the chief complaint of the patient and obtaining a history of the present illness complaint38 (26.2)86 (59.3)15 (10.3)6 (4.2)0 (00)0.0310.383
17C52: prescribing appropriate pharmaceutical agents23 (15.9)100 (69)19 (13.1)3 (2.1)0 (00)0.6940.484
18C36: making one anterior or posterior crown18 (12.4)104 (71.7)18 (12.4)5 (3.4)0 (00)0.7260.390
19C10: producing a patient record and maintaining an accurate record of patient treatment33 (22.8)88 (60.7)14 (9.7)10 (6.9)0 (00)0.4100.008
20C33: administering infiltration and block local anaesthesia24 (16.6)97 (66.9)20 (13.8)4 (2.8)0 (00)0.5550.243
21C40: designing effective complete dentures24 (16.6)91 (62.8)24 (16.6)3 (2.1)3 (2.1)0.4060.067

Note. Bold values indicate Pā€‰<ā€‰0.05.