Advances in Medical Education and Practice (Feb 2023)
Utilizing Evaluation and Development Frameworks to Engineer a College-Wide Evaluation and Reform of an Undergraduate Dental Curriculum
Abstract
Abdurahman Alwadei Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdurahman Alwadei, King Saud University, College of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Building #23, 1st Floor, Room 17, P.O. Appendix 60169, Riyadh, 11545, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: To operationalize and analyze a college-wide evaluation of an undergraduate dental curriculum.Materials and Methods: A descriptive case study design was used with extensive multiple data collection methods that included literature review, document review of existing data, survey questionnaires, focus group semi-structured interviews and observation of clinical and laboratory tasks. This approach was based on Kern’s curriculum development model and Fitzpatrick’s practical guidelines and evaluation standards.Results: The evaluation outcomes indicated that a significant curricular change is needed. In hindsight, a thorough reflection on the evaluation strategy is provided highlighting several contextual factors. Actionable recommendations and comparisons are also drafted to shape a coherent curriculum reform implementation.Conclusion: The process by which the evaluation was conducted, and the reform implementation is being instituted, while unique to this college, may offer insights for change at other dental colleges. In that, greater emphasis is placed on the general principles that remain applicable to other comparable contexts regardless of the distinctiveness in specificities.Keywords: curriculum evaluation, curricular change, curriculum, dental curriculum, dental education
