Journal de recherche et de développement en éducation à la santé

The Effect of a Motivational Speaker on Dental Students Performance on National Board Part 1 (NBDE-1)

Abstract

Yasmine M Haddad, Ezinne I Ogbureke, Katherine E Price, Gena D Tribble and Raymond G Koeppen

Objectives

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if there is a positive correlation between incorporating a professional motivational speaker in the National Board Dental Exam Part 1 (NBDE-1) preparation course and the students’ pass rate on the NBDE-1. The secondary purpose was to determine the effect of the motivational speaker on students’ (1) motivation to prepare for the NBDE-1 (2) self-perceived ability to control their own stress on exam day, and (3) perception of the effectiveness of the dental school curriculum and the NBDE-1 review course in preparing them for the NBDE-1.

Methods

The subjects in this study consisted of 99 second year dental students enrolled in the NBDE-1 Review Course during the 2014. Summer Session at the University of XXX. Survey Monkey was utilized to distribute the same survey at three time points.

Results

Incorporating a professional motivational speaker positively correlated with an increase in the pass rate on NBDE-1 from the following percentages in the past five years: 96%, 96%, 96%, 95%, and 96% to the following pass rate on NBDE-1 in 2014:99%. A participation rate of at least 60% was achieved for all three surveys. Results also indicated a positive correlation between the utilization of a professional motivational speaker and students’ motivation, perceived ability to control their stress, and perception of preparedness for NBDE-1.

Conclusion

Although the NBDE-1 pass rate in 2014 increased compared to the past five years, a larger sample size is needed for statistical significance.