Early clinical exposure significantly improves dental students' overall competency compared with traditional teaching (SMD = 1.25), though evidence certainty is low¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r2 · q4 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q4 i3 Across 27 studies involving 2995 dental students, students receiving ECE achieved significantly higher overall competency scores than those in traditional teaching groups (SMD = 1.25, 95% CI 0.83–1.66). → Pang Xuefei 2026

Evidence¶

Pang Xuefei 2026¶

Pang Xuefei, Wang Huilin, Li Jinggui, Gui Haijun, Cao Xia, Cai Ming. (2026). The Impact of Early Clinical Exposure on Competency Development in Dental Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2026.109483

q4 · i3 · quant-synthesis · r2

Random-effects meta-analysis of 27 studies (2995 students; 1787 ECE, 1211 control) pooling standardised mean differences. The pooled effect was "SMD = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.83-1.66" with I² = 96.6%. GRADE certainty was rated low (serious inconsistency and imprecision).

"Meta-analysis of the 27 included studies showed that students who received ECE achieved significantly higher overall competency scores compared to those in traditional teaching groups (SMD = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.83-1.66, I² = 96.6%, P < .001)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• ECE benefits both junior and senior preclinical dental students, with a larger pooled effect in junior students — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• ECE improves theoretical knowledge, clinical practice performance and self-efficacy, with the largest effect on self-efficacy — related
• All three ECE modalities show significant positive effects, with real clinical interactions showing the largest pooled effect — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Pooled ECE estimates are robust in leave-one-out sensitivity analysis and show no significant publication bias — related
• Early clinical exposure is associated with higher empathy scores regardless of gender and academic year — related
• Early clinical exposure improves the clinical skills of medical students compared with traditional teaching — related
• Early clinical exposure increases medical knowledge test scores and motivates learning — related