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Top tips on reflection for dental students

BDJ Student volume 30, pages 12–14 (2023)Cite this article

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Reflection has been defined as the 'active, persistent and careful consideration of any belief, or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusion to which it tends'.1 It provides the foundation of meaningful learning whereby we can analyse our own experiences in order to actively challenge pre-existing beliefs, assumptions and behaviours.

Reflection is a widely established tool used in dentistry. Reflective practice allows us to explore significant events and can help us maintain or improve the way we conduct ourselves- ensuring the highest quality patient care. It helps shape undergraduate students as they start their careers. However, as we know from Continuing Professional Development (CPD), learning is a life-long process and does not stop after graduating from university. Regular reflection is paramount for all qualified dental practitioners - from the general dental practitioner to the hospital consultant. Due to the well-evidenced importance of reflection, the General Dental Council (GDC) introduced mandatory demonstration of reflection for all its registrants in 2018.2

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References

  1. Dewey J. How We Think. A Restatement of the Relation of Reflective Thinking to the Educative Process. DC Heath and Company, Boston, 1933.

  2. General Dental Council. Enhanced CPD scheme 2018. Available online at: www.gdc-uk.org/education-cpd/cpd/enhanced-cpd-scheme-2018 (accessed April 2023).

  3. Barksby J, Butcher N, Whysall A. A new model of reflection for clinical practice. Nursing Times 2015; 111: 21-23.

  4. Campbell F, Rogers H. Through the looking glass: a review of the literature surrounding reflective practice in dentistry. Br Dent J 2022; 232: 729-734.

  5. Hampton M. Written reflective writing: Assignments a basic introduction. Reflective writing: a basic introduction. University of Portsmouth. 2010. Available online at: https://capstone.unst.pdx.edu/sites/default/files/Reflective-writing---a-basic-intro_0.pdf (accessed April 2023).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Foundation Trainee, London, United Kingdom

    Nicole Hasoon

  2. London, United Kingdom

    Amie Smith, Daisy Ridsill Smith & Khalil Jiwa

  3. Belfast, United Kingdom

    Helen Wilson

  4. Newcastle, United Kingdom

    Helen Rogers

  5. Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Faith Campbell

Authors
  1. Nicole Hasoon
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  2. Amie Smith
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  3. Daisy Ridsill Smith
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  4. Khalil Jiwa
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  5. Helen Wilson
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  6. Helen Rogers
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  7. Faith Campbell
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Correspondence to Nicole Hasoon.

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Hasoon, N., Smith, A., Ridsill Smith, D. et al. Top tips on reflection for dental students. BDJ Student 30, 12–14 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-023-0949-3

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