Osce for recording who oral health assessment form and dental indices: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate student’s and examiner’s educational experience and perception of Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as compared to Routine examination as an assessment tool for recording WHO Oral Health assessment form (1997) and Dental Indices for formative assessment. Fifteen final year dental students served as controls 15 students were exposed to OSCE assessment method. OSCE consisted of 4 standardized stations and four well calibrated examiners. Following the examination an evaluation sheet regarding educational experience and perception of OSCE and routine examination was administered to the participating students and examiners. The educational experience was more satisfactory for the group of students undergoing OSCE as compared to routine examination. The passing percentage which was set at 50% was higher among the group of students which were assessed by routine examination as compared to OSCE. The OSCE, although relatively new in dental education, is an assessment that has the potential to improve the formative and summative assessment methods in dental schools. The OSCE can provide the opportunity not only to assess dental students, but also to provide them with useful formative feedback and challenge them in the development of varied skills that will be needed in their profession.