KARACHI: The Department of Dental Education of Bahria Dental College, Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC), Karachi, recently held a "Character Building" session for dental students and faculty members.
Prof Dr Wahab Bukhsh Kadri, Principal Dental College, BUMDC, Dr Kulsoom Fatima Rizvi, Vice Principal Dental College, BUMDC and Dr Shaur Sarfaraz, Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi graced the event with their presence. Dr Shaur was invited as a guest speaker. Dr Tabassum Ahsan, Dr Kiran Fatima, Dr Akbar Abbas and Dr Kulsoom Zahir were the organisers of the program.
The moderator started the session by discussing character, personality, and a good dentist's qualities. The program was based on three activities.
The dental students were divided into eight groups in the first activity, with six individuals in each. Students were asked to come up with different characteristics of a good dentist. This activity was performed on padlet.com, and group participation was displayed on the screen.
Students were asked to volunteer in a 'busy dentist' roleplay on a given scenario in the second activity. The roleplay was very well executed by the students reflecting on the importance of active listening and double-checking the history of the treating patient.
The title of the third activity was 'wrong extraction', in which four students reflected the wrong diagnosis due to a lack of professionalism in the play.
The session concluded with a brief discussion on conflict management which students found very thought-provoking and was well appreciated by the audience in the question-answer session.
In the end, the principal and vice-principal awarded an honorary shield and certificate to the guest speaker.