Should dental students be posted in private clinics starting from 3rd year?

In some colleges, final-year students get elective postings in private clinics just before internship. But what if this experience started earlier?

Would early exposure to private practice help students:

Communicate better with patients?

Understand the business side of dentistry?

Learn procedures not covered in college?

Or would it be too soon, before they’ve mastered core skills?

What do you think, should real-world clinical observation begin by 3rd year instead of final year?

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i think it whole depend on student choice , if they want govt or private.
main thing is guidance that all needed

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No, i think that clinical knowledge obtained from colleges is needed.

If you go wrong, in college, the teachers correct your mistakes.
But in a clinical set-up, these things are difficult.

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If the private clinic doctors/ owners have no issues, it would be a good idea to experience private practice scenario before you finish graduation.. it will prepare you for the outside world.. but generally they will only let you observe since you haven’t finished your graduation.. you can try it in semester breaks as well ..

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That’s true. The key lies in learning communication skills and dental marketing. College teaches you clinical skills, but not how to talk to patients or handle treatment fee negotiations.

It’s not necessary to learn clinical practice there. After all, colleges are there to teach us the clinical part, at least for the fees they charge. But what we lack is communication and management skills. We need to know how to talk to patients who are anxious, those who try to negotiate or even threaten us. These soft skills are just as important in real-world practice.

Absolutely! Obviously of these clinics meet the criteria of a teaching facility, why not?

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Totally depends upon the situation.
If one is studying in government college he may get enough hands on experience as compared to private colleges.
If one wants to grow in clinical field it would be better if he joins clinic earlier to gain knowledge and how it works outside.

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