The Power of Self-Reflection in Dental Training

Dental students often receive feedback from peers. However, this feedback does not always lead to better grades. This might be because students do not always reflect on the feedback they receive. Reflection is a key skill. It helps students understand and use feedback better. Yet, many students do not learn how to reflect properly. This study looks at how a reflection tool can help dental students improve their self-reflection skills. The study uses a reflection model called ALACT. This model guides students through a process of reflection. It helps them think about their actions, learn from them, and plan for the future. The study adapts this model into a rubric. A rubric is a scoring guide. It helps students understand what good reflection looks like. The rubric is then tested with dental students. The goal is to see if it helps them reflect better. Reflection is not just about thinking about what went wrong. It is about understanding why things happened and what can be done differently next time. This is where metacognition comes in. Metacognition is thinking about thinking. It is a higher-level skill that helps students understand their own learning process. By using the ALACT rubric, students can develop their metacognitive skills. This can lead to better feedback processing and ultimately, better academic performance. The study is a single-subject design. This means it focuses on one student at a time. This approach allows for a detailed look at how the rubric affects self-reflection. It is a small-scale study, but it can provide valuable insights. If the rubric proves effective, it could be used more widely in dental education. Self-reflection is a crucial skill for dental students. It helps them learn from their experiences and improve their practice. By using a structured reflection tool like the ALACT rubric, students can develop this skill. This can lead to better feedback processing and ultimately, better academic performance. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits. The study is a starting point, but it opens the door to further exploration.