A Classroom Practice and Assessment Resource for Dental Clinical Treatment Planning

INTRODUCTION: Dental students' opportunities to practice clinical treatment planning prior to the clinical experience are often limited. This resource permits students to practice treatment planning in the classroom and allows the instructor to efficiently provide feedback to a large number of students. METHODS: I developed a computer-based treatment plan worksheet (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Qualtrics) consisting of four sequence steps and a list of Common Dental Terminology (CDT) codes. I implemented this educational activity in the Case Management and Treatment Planning course (second year, spring quarter). The course included 10 weekly sessions of 1 hour each. I gave students a practice case at the beginning of the course. They submitted comprehensive sequenced treatment plans as assignments using the Qualtrics treatment plan worksheet 2 days after the interdisciplinary treatment planning didactic session. In the subsequent debrief session, I discussed the case with the entire class and focused on themes observed from the students' performance on the assignments. RESULTS: I graded all students' submissions (n = 87) using CDT codes both with and without consideration of sequence steps and observed variations in students' performance. Many students (n = 36, 41%) opted to give feedback through an anonymous survey, with 88%-96% of them agreeing or strongly agreeing that the educational activity allowed them to practice, demonstrate their knowledge, and improve their skills in treatment planning. DISCUSSION: This computer-based worksheet lets students practice clinical treatment planning in the classroom and allows the instructor to effectively assess a large number of students' assignments.