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U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H |
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A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh |
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U N I V E R S I T Y O F P I T T S B U R G H |
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A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh |
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Dental professor treats students as ‘future colleagues’Deborah Studen-Pavlovich,
Studen-Pavlovich keeps herself attuned to students’ “self-perceptions as they face new challenges” by remembering her own experiences as a novice dental student. “I try to place myself in the students’ shoes and, 23 years since graduation, try not to lose sight of how awkward I initially felt.” This awkwardness stems partly from the motor skills and hand-eye coordination that her large classes of 80 pre-doctoral dental students must acquire in addition to extensive foundational knowledge. For example, she points out, the dentist’s use of a hand-held mirror for indirect vision in a patient’s mouth calls into play a complex array of proficiencies that students have to master.
Studen-Pavlovich recalls being “deeply hurt and demoralized” when a professor told her and a friend, who were among the 18 females in a class of 135, that they were “doomed” because they had never made model airplanes as children. “The confidence I have today was not there in 1976. Fortunately, that professor was replaced by one who became my mentor, and mentoring made the difference. It is those positive experiences that I strive to pass on to students.” Coaching a ‘Team’ “Dr. Deb,” as she is known to her students, views learning as a collaborative, or team, dynamic and sees herself as a coach. “Teachers of dental medicine must be driven by the instructional objectives that we expect students to attain, but we also have to be aware that each student is unique. Of course, all students in this school have a level of academic knowledge, but some have the benefit of previous experience in the field, while others are true novices. Most of them have the potential to become excellent dentists, and with guidance and encouragement, they may surpass expectations. The coaching philosophy brings me joy, especially when encouragement from me and my colleagues helps a student attain a professional goal.” Real-world Learning “At the beginning of the semester we see a lot more trial and error, with students using more plastic typodont teeth as they attempt to learn the skills. I always try to find something positive to say. I encourage them to learn to evaluate their own work—a self-assessment—because I won’t be looking over their shoulders in two years. I appreciate it when a student speaks up first about a failed attempt in the simulation clinic, saying ‘Dr. Deb, this is not acceptable. I need to do another one.’ “At the same time, I’m always looking for students who are performing well and ask if I may share their preclinical assignment with other students. If students see a peer doing something skillfully, it seems more attainable. Visual sharing is so important in dental school. Students have to see what is satisfactory and unsatisfactory dentistry, and it’s not likely they will have opportunities outside of the simulation clinic to see others’ work.” Community Service A believer in the importance of “learning life skills through community service,” Studen-Pavlovich advises the Student Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to assisting students with community projects, this work gives her opportunities to teach students presentation and planning skills that will help them to run a dental practice. Although Studen-Pavlovich has also produced extensive professional
research and publications in her years of teaching, she points out one
achievement in particular: her selection in 1990 as the dentist for
an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The episode is rebroadcast
regularly, and she is gratified that she is thus able to continue to
help another generation to view dentistry as a caring profession. | |||||||||||||||
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A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh |
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for Instructional Development & Distance Education |
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chair
of pediatric dentistry in the School of Dental Medicine, uses her memories
as a dental student to fuel a determination to see students “attain
and even surpass” their professional goals.