Reviewing Competency in Dental Education

The min imum requirements to practice as a competent dentist have always been under the scanner. While universit ies and dental boards around the world have constantly endeavored to produce and maintain a quality dentist, there have often been questions on how the respective skills are to be assessed. Presently competency-based education focuses on developing the professional skills, which are necessary for the comprehensive practice of dentistry within a community. These skills may include patient and pra ctice management, interpersonal skills, operative and theoretical skills. Assessment of these skills often varies between assessors and may influence competency outcomes. This articles reviews the competencies and different approaches used to assess competencies in dental education prior to professional registration.