Page 124 - Demo

Chapter 7122Their enhanced knowledge, skills and self-efficacy are probably the reason that under their supervision root canal treatments of higher quality were performed (chapter 2), which is not only preferred medically but may also result in higher self-efficacy of the students who performed the treatment (chapter 3). Besides, a supervisor who feels comfortable with Endodontics might be a better role model for the students than one who does not. When the supervisor does not feel comfortable it is probably more difficult for the students to feel comfortable, and that may negatively influence their performance and self-efficacy. In the questionnaire used in chapter 4, students from ACTA commented that they highly appreciated the supervision by endodontists who have up-to-date experience from their own practices. These endodontists can facilitate challenging clinical case discussions, and their assistance in the clinic is of high quality. The students suggested that there should be more supervision by endodontists. Recently, ACTA has reimplemented the ‘endodontic consultants system’ in the undergraduate clinic of ACTA where the daily supervision of dental care is provided by general dental practitioners. Within the endodontic consultants system there is an endodontic consultant present at the undergraduate clinic to assist the general dental practitioners and supervise students who are providing endodontic care to patients. The endodontic consultants are endodontists or dentists with special interest in Endodontology. In the Undergraduate Curriculum Guidelines for Endodontology, the ESE already stated that clinical Endodontics should ideally be supervised by specialists or by staff with special knowledge and interest in Endodontology (ESE 2013). The present work provides scientific evidence to support their expert opinion by showing that supervision by endodontists or dentists with special interest in Endodontology is more advantageous than supervision by general dental practitioners (chapters 2, 3 and 4). Continuity of education in Endodontology The students commented on the lack of continuity in education in Endodontics at ACTA as being problematic, and they suggested to ensure more repetition in Endodontics in the curriculum, not only between the preclinical training and the simulated clinical training but also following the simulated clinical training until graduation (comments in questionnaire used in chapter 4). At ACTA, due to a shortage of available patients, students usually perform root canal treatments on patients only in the final year of their undergraduate training. Hence, there Annemarie Baaij.indd 122 28-06-2023 12:26