431 - Engaging Pediatric Dentistry Program Directors as Stakeholders in the Process of Board-Certification

 

Purpose:  The aim of this study was to investigate pediatric dentistry program directors’ engagement with board certification in terms of criteria for clinical readiness, curriculum development and value. An additional purpose was to identify challenges to preparing residents for board certification and to inform future strategies to support program directors in this process. 

Methods:  A digital survey and small focus group discussions with pediatric dentistry program directors were conducted.  Survey responses were analyzed using Excel Spreadsheet and SurveyMonkey software. Transcripts of each focus group session were de-identified and analyzed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis and structural coding methods. Excel Spreadsheet version 16.1 and RapidMiner Version 10.1 were used for text analysis. 

Results: Thirty-one program directors responded to the digital survey. Of the 8 domains, Oral Pathology & Development of Dentition were ranked as less important than the other domains in terms of relevance to their patient populations and demonstration of clinical readiness.  There were 32 participants in the focus group sessions. The majority of program directors indicated that board certification is an important measure of clinical readiness and a marker of program success.  Challenges and suggestions were made for ways to improve program directors’ role in training residents for clinical readiness as demonstrated by successful completion of the board exam.

Conclusions:  Program directors value board certification as a marker of professional achievement and a reflection of their programs’ educational impact.  Program directors are interested in further engagement with the board certification process to enhance training of residents.