Predicting success in a dental training program

Abstract

The task of selecting dental applicants who are the most likely to excel out of an extremely competitive applicant pool is a problem faced annually by dental faculties. This study examined the validity of both cognitive and non-cognitive factors used for selection to Canadian dental schools. In particular, the study examined the validity of the interview and the Dental Aptitude Test in the prediction of dental training success.

Interest in personality measurement and the prediction offered by personality measures has escalated and may be applied to the selection of dental candidates. Therefore, the study also assessed whether the addition of a personality measure would increase the validity of predicting performance beyond that achieved by an interview and the Dental Aptitude Test.

Results suggest that the interview may be counterproductive to good decision making in the selection process. Consistent with previous research, results show that the Dental Aptitude Test is a good predictor of academic work with prediction declining when clinical components are introduced. Concerning the prediction offered by the personality measures, results indicated that Openness to Experience was significantly related to aspects of clinical training. Contrary to expectations this relationship was negative. Results further indicated that narrow personality traits of the broad factors may supply admissions officers with more information than the broader factors and that they are better at predicting clinical components of dental training. Implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations regarding the admission process to Canadian dental programs are offered.