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Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to explore the challenges and strategies for improvement in Undergraduate Clinical Dental Education.
METHODOLOGY
A qualitative exploratory study was conducted at Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar, from October to December 2023. The participants included students (third-year and final-year) and clinical faculty in dentistry. For data collection, a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions was used. The interviews and focus group discussions were organized at a scheduled time. One-on-one interviews with the clinical faculty and a focus group discussion were conducted with the students. The focus group and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic content analysis.RESULTSEight students participated in the student focus group discussion, and six interviews were conducted with faculty members. All the participants belonged to the same institute.   The identified themes were: 1. Approaching Teaching and Learning in a Clinical Environment, 2. Challenges in Teaching and Learning, 3. Solutions to Challenges, and 4. Mentoring and Support.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study provided valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of clinical dental education. Challenges such as student apathy, harsh criticism from teachers, logistical limitations, and infrastructural constraints were significant obstacles to effective teaching and learning. The study highlights the vital role of mentorship and constructive feedback in fostering student growth and development. The institute should provide logistics, a planned curriculum, and simulated environments for skill development, and the assessment should be structured with remediation strategies.