Self-Perceived Preparedness of KFU Dental Graduates to Practice Dentistry: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Assessing graduates’ performance is essential to identify the strengths and weaknesses in dental education. This study examined the self-perceived preparedness of dental graduates at King Faisal University (KFU), Saudi Arabia, using the Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU-PAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, this study assesses dental graduates’ preparedness. This assessment measures various skills and attributes expected of dental graduates based on the DU-PAS. From January to April 2021, an electronic form was distributed to 102 eligible dental graduates of KFU. The response rate was 92.15%. The total preparedness score ranged from 0 to 100. The questionnaire consisted of two parts, the first investigating preparedness in clinical procedures (24 items) and the second investigating preparedness regarding cognition, communication, and professionalism skills (26 items). Data are analyzed using SPSS Descriptive analysis using frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: The study included 94 participants, all of them male, with a response rate of 92.4%, who graduated from the College of Dentistry KFU in Saudi Arabia. The participants’ median age was 25. The mean DU-PAS score for the participants was 79.08 (SD ±12.15; range, 47.84–100). The mean score for Part A of the scale, which comprises the clinical skills, was 84.55 (SD ±13.56; range, 43.75–100). It revealed that participants felt they had no experience with the four procedures. The mean score for Part B of the scale comprising cognitive and behavioural attributes was 73.60 (SD ±16.29; range, 36.54–100). More than one-third of the participants reported limited experience in attributes related to items B30 (suspected oral cancer, 36.2%), and B33 (evaluating new dental materials, 22.3%). CONCLUSION: In this study, dental graduates of KFU reported a high level of self-perceived confidence in their skills. Consequently, they will be able to integrate seamlessly into general dental practice. However, the participants’ feedback reflects certain deficiencies in practising specific clinical procedures.