Effects of reducing senior clinical requirements

This study investigated the effects of reducing dental clinical requirements. Twenty-seven senior students participated in a modified system in which requirements were reduced to essential experiences, points were awarded for all procedures completed, and a total point requirement was created to ensure comprehensive care. The remaining seniors (N = 97), who operated under the conventional requirement system, served as controls. No significant differences were found between the groups in daily clinic grades, comprehensive examination performance, final senior-year grade point average, or number of procedures completed. A year-end questionnaire on stress and anxiety indicated that the experimental group perceived less stress and anxiety, were significantly more positive about their performance evaluations, and perceived significantly less pressure to complete procedures.