Comparative Performance of Undergraduate Students in Objectively Structured Practical Examinations and Conventional Orthodontic Practical Examinations

This study was conducted on 52 final year BDS students of Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore to compare their performance in Objectively structured practical examinations (OSPE) and Conventional Orthodontic practical examination (CPE).A mock examination, comprising of CPE and OSPE was conducted in the Orthodontic department for summative assessment before the final professional university examination. In CPE, students were evaluated by different examiners and it comprised of a practical component and viva voce. The practical component included a Cephalometric tracing, analysis and diagnosis along with the fabrication of removable appliance. This was followed by a long viva. CPE comprised of total 40 marks. There were eight OSPE stations where Orthodontic appliances, data (Cephalograms, OPG, dental cast) and case scenarios were placed. Each station required 5 minutes of time. Different sets of questions were given for each of these stations. Answer keys were prepared before hand. For each station, 05 marks were allocated and eight stations had total 40 marks. Pass marks for both examinations were set at 50%. A comparison of the results of two methods was done by applying “chi square” test. Cross tabulation was done to evaluate that a student performing well in one mode is also performing well in other or not. In the OSPE examination 46 candidates were declared as successful (33 females and 13 males) while 6 were declared unsuccessful (4 females and 2 males). In CPE 50 were successful (36 females and 14 male) and 2 failed to satisfy the examiners. (1 female and 1 male). There was a noteworthy difference in the result generated by both assessment tools as the p-value (p=0.007) is statistically significant. Although more candidates were successful through CPE but the performance (marks obtained) of students was better in OSPE then CPE. As OSPE is more objective and reliable tool, it can supplement the time-tested Conventional assessment methods in undergraduate Orthodontic examinations.