FairGrade - Clinical Dental Student Management

Rubric & Grading Criteria

Clinical requirements, progression criteria, and grading standards.

Important Note on Clinical Requirements

Clinical requirements for simple procedures such as prophys and composite restorations between the third and fourth years are not cumulative. However, complex procedures (RCTs and Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics) started in the 3rd year and completed in the 4th will be counted towards the clinical requirements for the 4th Year Restorative Dentistry Clerkship, and those started in the 4th year will be counted towards the clinical requirements for the 5th Year Restorative Dentistry Clerkship.

Year 3 — DENT 3620

Due by mid-July

Year 3

Procedure	Required
Prophys	5
Anterior Composites	4
Posterior Composites	3
Single Canal RCT	1

Year 4 — DENT 4620

Due by end of June

Year 4

Procedure	Required
Prophys	10
Subgingival PMPR (quads/sextants)	8
Anterior Restorations (min. 3 Class IIs)	8
Posterior Composites (≥5 Class IIs)	15
RCTs (at least 1 Molar)	3
Units Crown & Bridge	2
Post & Core	1
Comprehensive Perio Exams	2
Comprehensive Restorative Cases	2
C/C Denture	1
Co-Cr Partial Denture	1

Year 5 — DENT 5320

Due by end of February

Year 5

Procedure	Required
Prophys	5
Subgingival PMPR (quads/sextants)	6
Composites (completed in Year 5)	15
RCTs (at least 1 Molar)	2
Units of Crown & Bridge	2
Post/Core	1
Comprehensive Perio Exams	2
C/C Complete Denture	1
RPDs (min. 1 Co-Cr Denture)	2

Removable Prosthodontics Credits

Acrylic partial dentures — one or two by the end of Year 4
At the end of Year 5, a total of 4 or 5 acrylic partial dentures
Repair — at least one by the end of Year 5
Relines (either hard or soft) — at least one by the end of Year 5

Progression & Examination Requirements

Quota Non-Achievement

Failure to achieve clinical requirements would prevent a student from progressing from one clinical year to the next. Any non-achievement of quotas will be re-checked in mid-July and if still below satisfactory requirements, students will be recommended not to proceed to the next year.

Year 4 to Year 5 Progression

Progression from Year 4 to Year 5 is dependent on passing the Year 4 Structured Clinical Operative Test (SCOT) among other assessments involving a Class II restoration on a patient in May of Year 4 Semester II, and completion of quotas by mid-July.

SCOT Practical Exam

The student must present for a practical exam on the polyclinic involving treatment of a patient requiring operative work, specifically to demonstrate management of approximal caries in a posterior tooth (a Class II amalgam or composite restoration).

Case selection: A tooth that has caries clearly into dentine and that requires restoration of contact points both interproximally and with the opposing arch. These patients must be approved by a full-time member of staff at least one week prior to the examination date.

Resit Policy

A student who fails the Year 4 SCOT will be given a second attempt in June/July of that same semester. Failure of the resit will result in non-progression to Year 5. Students must also pass the Year 4 Pre-CAP Exam in order to progress to Year 5. If they fail Pre-CAP they will be given a resit attempt, failure of which will result in non-progression to Year 5.

Year 5 Final Exams

In Year 5, if quotas are not achieved by end of February, the student will not be allowed to sit the Final Exams in May.

Periodontology — Pre-CAP Examination

End of First Semester, Year IV — Dental Polyclinic on live patients

This examination tests the ability of students to detect and remove calculus from teeth via PMPR (professional mechanical plaque removal). Students are expected to use hand instruments (scalers and curettes) to achieve the task and detect deposits with the aid of an explorer. Students are expected to pass this assessment before proceeding to Year V.

Case Criteria

Completed treatment plan with instructor signatures
BPE & FMPS
Appropriate periodontal charts (where indicated)
Appropriate radiographs of the areas of PMPR
Appropriate medical clearance
Ideally gingivitis or Stage I or II periodontitis cases (simple cases)
Inclusion of three teeth
Charted calculus (supra and/or subgingival) on all three teeth
Minimum of six surfaces with calculus charted
Time for scaling: 30 minutes

General Evaluation Criteria

The ability to record BPE or probing depths and full mouth plaque scores
The ability to detect and record calculus
The ability to thoroughly remove calculus deposits, leaving the tooth surface smooth (supra- and sub-gingival)
The ability to remove plaque and stains
The ability to perform the therapy without tissue mutilation

Grading System

Grade	Meaning	Rubric
G	Good	No clinical intervention/advice needed; sound theory
A	Acceptable	Minimal intervention/advice needed; theory with prompting
N	Needs Improvement	Significant intervention needed; revision of theory required
U	Unacceptable	Critical error; potentially unsafe; poor theory

Professionalism Rating

Score	Rating	Description
3	Exceeded	Exceptional performance, demonstrating outstanding behaviours.
2	Met Expectations	Performance expected for the level of the student/resident.
1	Below	Unintentional lapses, minimal to no harm, mitigating circumstances possible.
0	Unacceptable	Intentional lapses, likely to harm, no mitigating circumstances.

Critical Event: A clear breach of professional boundaries. Documentation is sent directly to the appropriate authority for immediate action.

Revised: January 10th, 2025