Our Summary

The researchers wanted to see if the amount of hands-on experience dental students had with oral surgery affected their grades in that subject. They looked at the records of all the students who finished their dental training between 2017 and 2020 at the University of Sydney.

They found a small but meaningful connection between the number of tooth extractions a student had performed and their academic performance. In fact, the number of tooth extractions was the only factor that significantly impacted a student’s grades.

The students who did more than 65 dental extractions saw their grades in oral surgery improve by an average of 6.4%. However, starting this hands-on experience earlier in their studies didn’t give students any academic advantage.

In simple terms, the more practical experience a dental student gets in tooth extraction (up to a point), the better they do academically in oral surgery. But starting this experience early doesn’t make a difference in their grades.

FAQs

  1. Does the amount of hands-on experience with oral surgery affect dental students’ grades?
  2. Is there a connection between the number of tooth extractions performed by a student and their academic performance?
  3. Does starting hands-on experience earlier in their studies provide any academic advantage to dental students?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about oral surgery is to closely follow the post-operative care instructions provided by their oral surgeon. This typically includes things like taking prescribed medications, avoiding certain foods, and keeping the surgical area clean. Following these instructions carefully can help promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended for oral surgery include those with impacted teeth, severe tooth decay, gum disease, jaw misalignment, facial trauma, cysts or tumors in the jaw, and sleep apnea. Oral surgery may also be recommended for patients needing dental implants, bone grafts, or corrective jaw surgery.

Timeline

Before oral surgery:

  • Patient meets with their dentist or oral surgeon to discuss the procedure and potential risks and benefits.
  • Patient may undergo pre-operative testing, such as x-rays or blood work.
  • Patient may be prescribed medications to take before the surgery.
  • Patient is given instructions on what to do before the surgery, such as fasting or stopping certain medications.

During oral surgery:

  • Patient is given anesthesia to numb the area or put them to sleep.
  • Surgeon performs the necessary procedure, such as tooth extraction or implant placement.
  • Patient may feel pressure or hear noises during the surgery but should not feel pain.
  • Surgery typically lasts from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

After oral surgery:

  • Patient may experience pain, swelling, and bleeding at the surgical site.
  • Patient is given post-operative instructions on how to care for their mouth, such as avoiding certain foods or activities.
  • Patient may be prescribed pain medications or antibiotics to prevent infection.
  • Patient may need to follow up with their surgeon for a post-operative check-up to ensure proper healing.

Overall, the timeline of a patient’s experience before and after oral surgery can vary depending on the specific procedure and individual factors. It is important for patients to follow their surgeon’s instructions closely to ensure a smooth recovery process.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about oral surgery may include:

  1. What specific procedure will be performed during the oral surgery?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  3. What is the expected recovery time after the surgery?
  4. Are there any alternative treatment options available?
  5. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  6. How many times has the doctor performed this type of surgery before?
  7. What post-operative care instructions should be followed?
  8. Will there be any dietary restrictions following the surgery?
  9. What can be done to manage pain and discomfort after the surgery?
  10. What is the success rate of this particular oral surgery procedure?

Reference

Authors: Thorpe ARDS, Hsu J, Cox SC. Journal: Eur J Dent Educ. 2023 Nov;27(4):815-822. doi: 10.1111/eje.12870. Epub 2022 Nov 17. PMID: 36336844