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391 - The 10-Day Pediatric Dentistry Block: A Retrospective Survey of Student Educational Impact

Saturday, May 23, 2026
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Ethan Wood, DDS (he/him/his)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    University at Buffalo/Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
    University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
    Buffalo, New York, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Elisabeth Thompson, Select, OTR

    Clinical Instructor
    University at Buffalo/Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
    University at Buffalo
    St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

  • TT

    Tammy Thompson, Select, DDS

    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
    University at Buffalo/Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
    University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
    Buffalo, New York, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • TT

    Tammy Thompson, Select, DDS

    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
    University at Buffalo/Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
    University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
    Buffalo, New York, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • BC

    Brett Chiquet, DDS, PhD

    Professor and Chair
    UTHealth Houston
    Buffalo, New York, United States

Abstract:


Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to assess the educational value of the 10-day Pediatric Dentistry Preceptorship Program as reported by fourth-year University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UBSDM) students. The program curriculum is built on research that supports learning through immersive simulation, direct patient care, and higher-order assessments.





Methods: This is a retrospective study using anonymous post-rotation surveys administered via SurveyMonkey to UBSDM students who participated in the Pediatric Dentistry Preceptorship Program. Self-reported data were used to evaluate the educational impact of the program. The survey was sent to students from the classes of 2023 - 2025. Aspects of the preceptorship surveyed included simulation-based learning, hospital-based experiences, on-call shadowing, community outreach experiences, multiple clinical settings, exposure to special healthcare needs, interprofessional educational experiences, virtual case-based oral examinations, and a station-based Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).



Results: Fifty respondents participated (Class of 2023: 20%, 2024: 38%, 2025: 42%).  Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the preceptorship was a positive aspect of their dental education (86%) and should remain in the curriculum (92%). The most valuable aspects were variation in clinical care sites (74% strongly agreed) and hospital-based experiences (88%).



Conclusion: UBSDM students who participated in the Pediatric Dentistry Preceptorship Program during the fourth year agree that it prepared them for clinical practice and should remain in the curriculum.

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