Table 3.
Detailed percentage results for section B of DU-PAS with the comparison between final-year students and interns
| students | interns | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| no experience | mostly | always | no experience | mostly | always | p-value | |
| I feel I can manage peoples’ expectations of their treatment | 3.38 | 69.15 | 27.47 | 0.73 | 57.20 | 42.07 | < 0.001* |
| I feel able to motivate my patients to encourage self-care for their dental needs | 1.62 | 46.96 | 51.42 | 1.11 | 37.08 | 61.81 | 0.001* |
| I recognise my personal limitations in clinical practice | 1.76 | 40.73 | 57.51 | 1.48 | 29.89 | 68.63 | < 0.001* |
| I feel comfortable asking for help from supervisor or colleague if needed | 2.57 | 44.11 | 53.32 | 2.77 | 29.52 | 67.71 | < 0.001* |
| I am able to refer patients with complex treatment needs appropriately | 4.46 | 38.71 | 56.83 | 1.85 | 33.02 | 65.13 | 0.002* |
| I feel confident referring patients with suspected oral cancer | 28.82 | 43.85 | 27.33 | 21.96 | 42.80 | 35.24 | 0.002* |
| I reflect on my clinical practice in order to address my learning needs | 5.41 | 43.71 | 50.88 | 2.03 | 39.11 | 58.86 | < 0.001* |
| I have sufficient knowledge of scientific principles which underpin/support my dental practice | 6.50 | 57.91 | 35.59 | 5.35 | 50.74 | 43.91 | 0.010* |
| I am confident to evaluate new dental materials and products using an evidence-based approach | 14.48 | 43.30 | 42.22 | 12.18 | 41.33 | 46.49 | 0.245 |
| I am confident to interpret the results of research which may influence my practice | 9.47 | 46.96 | 43.57 | 9.59 | 47.05 | 43.36 | 0.996 |
| I use an evidence-informed approach in my clinical practice | 7.17 | 40.87 | 51.96 | 4.05 | 36.72 | 59.23 | 0.008* |
| I feel I can manage to communicate effectively with my patients | 1.76 | 38.84 | 59.40 | 1.85 | 29.89 | 68.26 | 0.004* |
| I provide opportunities for my patients to express their expectations from dental treatment | 4.06 | 34.64 | 61.30 | 1.48 | 31.36 | 67.16 | 0.008* |
| I feel confident to address barriers for effective communication with patients appropriately | 4.46 | 47.77 | 47.77 | 4.43 | 39.30 | 56.27 | 0.009* |
| I feel confident to communicate potential risks of operative procedures to patients | 4.74 | 39.78 | 55.48 | 1.48 | 32.10 | 66.42 | < 0.001* |
| I feel confident to communicate appropriately with my colleagues | 1.48 | 32.10 | 66.42 | 2.40 | 19.92 | 77.68 | < 0.001* |
| I feel confident managing anxious patients with appropriate behavioural techniques | 9.20 | 51.69 | 39.11 | 2.77 | 54.06 | 43.17 | < 0.001* |
| I am able to manage the behaviour of children to enable appropriate dental treatment | 8.80 | 55.48 | 35.72 | 6.09 | 58.67 | 35.24 | 0.167 |
| I am able to fulfil my responsibilities as an effective member of the dental team | 3.38 | 44.66 | 51.96 | 4.24 | 32.84 | 62.92 | < 0.001* |
| I maintain accurate records of my clinical notes | 5.95 | 40.87 | 53.18 | 5.35 | 34.69 | 59.96 | 0.053 |
| I am able to work within the constraints of clinical appointment schedules | 8.25 | 50.34 | 41.41 | 2.77 | 43.91 | 53.32 | < 0.001* |
| I take responsibility for my continuing professional development | 3.25 | 28.96 | 67.79 | 1.48 | 21.95 | 76.57 | 0.001* |
| I am aware of my legal responsibilities as a dental professional | 2.71 | 36.94 | 60.35 | 2.03 | 26.20 | 71.77 | < 0.001* |
| I restrict my relations with my patients to a professional level | 3.51 | 30.45 | 66.04 | 1.48 | 22.32 | 76.20 | < 0.001* |
| I feel able to raise concerns about inappropriate behaviour of my colleagues | 16.91 | 40.87 | 42.22 | 17.53 | 37.64 | 44.83 | 0.500 |
| I take appropriate measures to protect patient confidentiality | 3.38 | 28.42 | 68.20 | 1.48 | 23.61 | 74.91 | 0.010* |
*significant differences for Pearson’s Chi-squared test