Developing and implementing an OSCE in dentistry

The processes of development, implementation and perceived usefulness of an objective structured clinical examination in restorative dentistry (OSCE(D)) are reported. An OSCE is a system of assessment. It consists of a set of standardised 'stations'. At each station, a student is tested on a specific clinical task. Each student moves from one station to the next so that by the end of the OSCE, every student has completed every station. The primary purpose of this OSCE was to provide feedback to 49 4th year students on their performance in the clinical areas of conservative dentistry, periodontology and prosthetics. Individual profiles were provided to students and the overall results discussed by staff. There were no significant differences in overall performance between genders or between students in the morning and afternoon examinations. There was a significant difference between performance in prosthetics and the other areas and there were some significant differences among the skill clusters of clinical knowledge, procedures, clinical reasoning, history-taking, techniques and communication. Students and staff perceived the OSCE(D) as a valuable tool for providing feedback. The development of the OSCE and the findings described in this paper will be of value to clinical staff who are developing OSCEs in all areas of dentistry.