Table 2 The frequency of answers for each of the questions; % response by Likert scale (Independent t-test)

B1. The teaching that I have received in oral surgery has given me sufficient knowledge to undertake independent practice

6th year

2 (10%)

7 (35%)

7 (35%)

4 (20%)

0

2.65 (±0.93)

7th year

5 (26.3%)

10 (52.6%)

2 (10.5%)

2 (10.5%)

0

2.05 (±0.91)

B2. I feel confident that I could extract an upper single- rooted tooth with an intact crown, in an otherwise intact dentition

6th year

11 (55%)

9 (45%)

0

0

0

1.45 (±0.51)

7th year

16 (84.2%)

2 (10.5%)

1 (5.3%)

0

0

1.21 (±0.54)

B3. I feel confident that I could remove visible retained roots of an upper left first molar with elevators or forceps

6th year

6 (30%)

7 (35%)

3 (15%)

4 (20%)

0

2.25 (±1.1)

7th year

11 (57.9%)

5 (26.3%)

0

3 (15.8%)

0

1.74 (±1.10)

B4. I feel confident to assess and perform the surgical management of a failed extraction (e.g. a lower second molar) necessitating:

B4a. The raising of a mucoperiosteal flap

6th year

0

2 (10%)

0

9 (45%)

9 (45%)

4.25 (±0.91)

7th year

0

6 (31.6%)

8 (42.1%)

3 (15.8%)

2 (10.5%)

3.05 (±0.97)

B4b. Bone removal

6th year

0

1 (5%)

5 (25%)

6 (30%)

8 (40%)

4.05 (±0.94)

7th year

0

6 (31.6%)

8 (42.1%)

3 (15.8%)

2 (10.5%)

3.05 (0.97)

B4c. Sectioning the tooth to facilitate elevation of the roots

6th year

0

1 (5%)

0

9 (45%)

10 (50%)

4.40 (±0.75)

7th year

0

6 (31.6%)

9 (47.4%)

2 (10.5%)

2 (10.5%)

3.00 (0.94)

B4d. Wound closure using appropriate suture materials

6th year

2 (10%)

7 (35%)

4 (20%)

3 (15%)

4 (20%)

3.00 (±1.34)

7th year

11 (57.9%)

5 (26.3%)

2 (10.5%)

0

1 (5.3%)

1.68 (±1.06)

B5. I feel confident to diagnose and manage acute pericoronitis

6th year

6 (30%)

10 (50%)

4 (20%)

0

0

1.90 (±0.72)

7th year

13 (68.4%)

3 (15.8%)

3 (15.8%)

0

0

1.47 (±0.77)

B6. I feel confident to manage haemorrhage from a socket

6th year

5 (25%)

9 (45%)

6 (30%)

0

0

2.05 (±0.76)

7th year

7 (36.8%)

9 (47.4%)

1 (5.3%)

1 (5.3%)

1 (5.3%)

1.95 (±1.08)

B7. I feel confident to assess an impacted mandibular third molar with respect to guidelines and recognise the need for surgical removal

6th year

5 (25%)

14 (70%)

0

1 (5%)

0

1.85 (±0.67)

7th year

12 (63.2%)

7 (36.8%)

0

0

0

1.37 (±0.50)

B8. I feel confident that I can recognise the clinical features of potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity

6th year

1 (5%)

11 (55%)

6 (30%)

2 (10%)

0

2.45 (±0.76)

7th year

1 (5.3%)

15 (78.9%)

2 (10.5%)

0

1 (5.3%)

2.21 (±0.79)

B9. I feel confident that I can write an appropriate referral letter to a specialist in an appropriate time frame dependent on the clinical problem

6th year

0

9 (45%)

7 (35%)

4 (20%)

0

2.75 (±0.79)

7th year

3 (15.8%)

10 (52.6%)

5 (26.3%)

0

1 (5.3%)

2.26 (±0.93)

B10. I feel competent to differentiate between pain of odontogenic and non-odontogenic origin

6th year

1 (5%)

14 (70%)

5 (25%)

0

0

2.20 (±0.52)

7th year

7 (36.8%)

4 (21.1%)

6 (31.6%)

1 (5.3%)

1 (5.3%)

2.21 (±1.18)

D1. I believe my teaching in anatomy has been appropriate for my clinical needs in oral surgery

6th year

5 (25%)

10 (50%)

5 (25%)

0

0

2.00 (±0.73)

7th year

7 (36.8%)

9 (47.4%)

1 (5.3%)

2 (10.5%)

0

1.89 (±0.94)

D2. I am more confident about undertaking oral surgery because of my knowledge and understanding of head and neck anatomy

6th year

1 (5%)

10 (50%)

7 (35%)

2 (10%)

0

2.50 (±0.76)

7th year

2 (10.5%)

10 (52.6%)

5 (26.3%)

1 (5.3%)

1 (5.3%)

2.42 (±0.96)

D3. The only anatomical knowledge needed for oral surgery is that of jaw and tooth morphology

6th year

0

5 (25%)

0

5 (25%)

10 (50%)

4.00 (±1.26)

7th year

1 (5.3%)

1 (5.3%)

0

11 (57.9%)

6 (31.6%)

4.05 (±1.03)

E1. Oral surgery is an enjoyable and rewarding discipline

6th year

8 (40%)

4 (20%)

3 (15%)

5 (25%)

0

2.25 (±1.25)

7th year

4 (21.1%)

13 (68.4%)

1 (5.3%)

0

1 (5.3%)

2.00 (±0.88)