Adapting an undergraduate dental objectively structured clinical examination (OSCE) during COVID‑19

Abstract

In the 5-year dentistry curriculum at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa (SA), prosthetic dentistry is presented as modules, starting in the 2nd year and culminating in the final module in the 5th year. Students are taught theory, and laboratory and clinical skills of removable (complete or partial) prostheses. Thus, acquiring psychomotor, clinical and problem-solving skills are an essential part of dental students’ education and training.[1] For trainee dentists, assessments include providing treatment for ‘real patients’, allowing them to demonstrate how theoretical knowledge of clinical procedures may be integrated with clinical skills in the clinical setting.[1] Teaching of clinical skills was completely interrupted during SA’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, although theoretical teaching continued on various virtual platforms. Educators uploaded clinical cases, and narrated and scaffolded clinical procedures aligned with module outcomes to provide continued training for students, even though the impact in terms of clinical competence was limited.