Introduzione del sesto anno di Odontoiatria: Un anno dedicato al tirocinio

OBJECTIVES. In compliance with the Decree-Law 179/2009, the sixth year of Dentistry was established for the first time in Italy, in the academic year 2014-2015. Each university considered this year in different ways in terms of teaching and learning, since neither the Ministry of Education nor the University set a standardized model. The aim of this work is to report the student satisfaction about the sixth year of Dentistry studies at the University of L'Aquila, which is focused on practical clinical training. MATERIALS AND METHODS. At the end of the sixth year experience, it was decided to ask the students participate in evaluation by filling in a questionnaire; they expressed their opinion about organization of activities, availability of tutors and acquired skills. RESULTS. The results indicated the students' largely positive opinion with regard to the organization in the various departments and availability of tutors; however, they expressed a lesser degree of satisfaction concerning professional skills, which had already been acquired in previous years. CONCLUSIONS. Based on the experience and suggestions of students and on observations of mentors and teachers involved, the Board of Degree, together with the students' representatives, will consider the problems that emerged, with a view to improving the quality of teaching.