Among the resolutions related to dental education adopted by the 2001 House of Delegates, two are especially pertinent to Dr. Pattalochi’s observations.
Res. 114H calls for the Association to sponsor a task force to "consider the role of patient-based examinations and other potential methods for evaluating clinical competency for licensure" and to report the group’s findings and recommendations to next year’s House. The task force is expected to include representatives from the American Association of Dental Examiners, the American Student Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, the ADA and the ADA’s Committee on the New Dentist.
Res. 89H calls for the Association to encourage dental-testing agencies to work with dental educators to "investigate offering clinical licensing examinations on patients within the dental schools to dental students." The measure also calls for such examinations to be administered "early enough in the year to allow those who do not pass the board examination to be remediated prior to graduation." A progress report on this activity also will go to the 2002 House.
