A phenomenological study on East and Southeast Asian dental educators: perceived importance, challenges, and strategies in teaching dental materials science

Background Effective teaching of dental materials science is crucial for dental students to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials used in clinical practice. However, literature on educators’ views on teaching this subject is still scarce. This qualitative study aimed to explore the live...

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Published in:BMC oral health Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 571 - 9
Main Authors: Lin, Galvin Sim Siang, Tan, Wen Wu, Foong, Chan Choong
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London BioMed Central 13.08.2023
BioMed Central Ltd
Springer Nature B.V
BMC
Subjects:
Clinical medicine
Composition
Continuing medical education
Curricula
Data analysis
Data collection
Dental education
Dental educators
Dental materials
Dental matrices
Dental schools
Dentistry
Education
Ethics
Interviews
Knowledge
Materials science
Medicine
Methods
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Perceptions
Qualitative research
Research design
Science education
Students
Teachers
Teaching methods
Thematic analysis
Malaysia
Qualitative research
Dental educators
Dental education
Dental materials
Thematic analysis
ISSN:1472-6831, 1472-6831
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Effective teaching of dental materials science is crucial for dental students to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials used in clinical practice. However, literature on educators’ views on teaching this subject is still scarce. This qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of dental educators in teaching dental materials science subjects, thereby addressing potential gaps and enhancing teaching practices. Methods Thirteen dental educators from East and Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan) participated in the present study. The present study adopted a transcendental phenomenological approach. One-to-one semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in the educators’ experiences. Results Three themes emerged from the present study. First, perceptions of the importance of dental materials science, highlighting its relevance in clinical practice, patient care, and lifelong learning. Second, the challenges faced in teaching dental materials science include limited instructional time, complex content, and insufficient resources. Third, specific strategies, such as applying interactive teaching methods, integrating clinical scenarios, and promoting critical thinking skills have been suggested to enhance teaching and learning. Conclusion Understanding dental educators’ experiences can improve dental materials science education, curriculum development, teaching methods, and faculty training programmes, ultimately enhancing the knowledge and skills of dental students in this field.
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ISSN:1472-6831
1472-6831
DOI:10.1186/s12903-023-03293-4