Browsing by Author "Brijlal, Priscilla"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determinants influencing the oral health of adults in Seychelles
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Noshir, Cynthia Yara Sheela; Brijlal, Priscilla
    Oral diseases are a major public health problem in the Seychelles, amidst a contracting budget coupled by a lack of national oral health policy and strategic plan to promote oral health. The oral disease burden is attributed to numerous determinants operating at different levels –macro, population and community, and at the person level. The study set out to examine the determinants that contribute to poor oral health in the Seychelles through an exploration of the social, cultural, economic and environmental factors influencing the oral health of adults. The purpose of the study was to develop an evidence-based theoretical framework that would inform future policy and practice for oral health. Set in the mixed research paradigm, a qualitative and quantitative research approach was used to obtain a deeper understanding of the pathways and mechanisms operationalizing determinants. Using a purposive sampling approach, individual and group interviews were conducted with patients, dental staff and a representative of the upper management.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development of a competency-based clinical assessment instrument for exit level oral hygiene students at the University of Western Cape
    (BMC, 2022) Naidoo, Magandhree; Brijlal, Priscilla; Cader, R.
    Seminal to the process of a health sciences curriculum evaluation is the periodic review of clinical assessment instruments that measure competency. An assessment of quality is facilitated by using a well-structured, authentic and reliable instrument. This process rests on designing and measuring the instrument against a sound framework and validating it for scientific merit. This paper documents the pedagogy and the process taken in developing an improved formative competency-based assessment instrument for the final year students of the Bachelor of Oral Health program (BOH) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Entrepreneurial knowledge and aspirations of dentistry students in South Africa
    (IP Publishing Ltd, 2013) Brijlal, Pradeep; Brijlal, Priscilla
    An investigation of the intentions and knowledge of entrepreneurship of final-year university dentistry students is reported, with particular regard to the factors of gender and race. A questionnaire survey was used with final-year dentistry students, over two years, at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. The findings show that dentistry students across race and gender groups believed that entrepreneurship education was important. At least half of the students showed an interest in starting a business practice soon after their graduation and completion of a mandatory one-year internship, with more male students indicating an interest in starting a business than female students. More Black African students indicated interest compared to other race groups (Coloureds, Whites and Indians). There were no significant differences between male and female students with regard to knowledge of entrepreneurship, but there were significant differences with regard to race in the scores for knowledge of entrepreneurship, with White students scoring the highest and African students the lowest. The authors conclude that entrepreneurship education should be included in the curriculum in the final year of dentistry studies to encourage business practice start-up soon after the one-year internship period, with the aim of contributing to growth in employment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Entrepreneurial knowledge and aspirations of dentistry students in South Africa: The influences of gender and race
    (SAGE Publications, 2013) Brijlal, Pradeep; Brijlal, Priscilla
    An investigation of the intentions and knowledge of entrepreneurship of final-year university dentistry students is reported, with particular regard to the factors of gender and race. A questionnaire survey was used with final-year dentistry students, over two years, at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. The findings show that dentistry students across race and gender groups believed that entrepreneurship education was important. At least half of the students showed an interest in starting a business practice soon after their graduation and completion of a mandatory one-year internship, with more male students indicating an interest in starting a business than female students. More Black African students indicated interest compared to other race groups (Coloureds, Whites and Indians). There were no significant differences between male and female students with regard to knowledge of entrepreneurship, but there were significant differences with regard to race in the scores for knowledge of entrepreneurship, with White students scoring the highest and African students the lowest. The authors conclude that entrepreneurship education should be included in the curriculum in the final year of dentistry studies to encourage business practice start-up soon after the one-year internship period, with the aim of contributing to growth in employment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exodontia block course evaluation: a review of the learning outcomes, content, and assessment practices at a dental faculty in South Africa
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Behardien, Nashreen; Brijlal, Priscilla; Roman, Nicolette Vanessa
    Introduction: Regular curriculum renewal ensures relevant and responsive curricula. Skills development courses, such as for dental extraction procedures, require the same rigorous review, as this skill demands both technical proficiencies and a high level of cognition. In South Africa, the high burden of dental disease, in particular pain and sepsis, relies on competent graduate exodontia (tooth extraction) abilities. However, research on evidence-based instruction in this field is limited. This action research study emanated from the goal of enhancing the Exodontia Block Course by integrating a teaching and learning strategy proven to develop psychomotor skills. The first step in the broader research study involved evaluating the traditional course. This study thus aimed to evaluate a traditional exodontia block course, gaining insight into its curricular components prior to redesigning it. Materials and Methods: An interpretive qualitative study employed appreciative inquiry for data collection. A purposive sampling strategy was employed. Six focus group discussions were conducted with homogeneous groups of undergraduate dental students (n = 13), clinical teachers (n = 10), and dentist practitioners (n = 7). Audio recordings were transcribed, and data underwent coding and thematic analysis. Results: This paper presents the findings pertaining to three curricular elements, namely the objectives, content, and assessment. The larger study identified four main themes: integration of skills and knowledge, block course structure, challenges, and recommendations for improvement. The study found that overall the students were satisfied with the content presented in the course. Recommendations to improve the course, however, were to include the use of elevators as a learning outcome of the course and the inclusion of an additional practical assessment. Challenges associated with the course related to the duration of the course and the presentation of non-relevant content. The course content revealed discrepancies between the material covered and the intended learning outcomes, with students noting insufficient focus on elevator/luxator use in extractions. Concerns were raised about including non-exodontia content, including a call for standardised terminology and locally developed teaching materials. Assessment methods were largely well received, but issues emerged regarding unlimited assessment attempts potentially reducing student accountability. Suggestions included limiting assessment opportunities and incorporating OSCE formats for preclinical evaluation to enhance rigour and student learning. Conclusions: The evaluation highlighted the strengths of the course as well as areas requiring reflection and emendation. Whilst the course was adequate to meet its objectives, areas for redress included instrumentation adaptations such as the combined use of elevators and luxators in intra-alveolar (simple, or non-surgical) extractions. A call for standardised terminology, locally developed teaching materials, and a broader array of assessment types was recommended. Additionally, issues emerged regarding unlimited assessment attempts potentially reducing student accountability. The need for future initiatives that focus on developing a nationally standardised competency-based curriculum was also foregrounded. Follow-up research would be required to investigate the impact of the implementation of the revised course.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mapping an appropriate health promotion approach for crèches in an informal settlement
    (John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2005) Brijlal, Priscilla; Gordon, Natalie
    People living in informal settlements in South Africa experience the double burden of poverty and ill health. Wallacedene, an informal settlement was highlighted in the media as being a socially and otherwise deprived community, with many accompanying health problems. Aim: It was against this background that this study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the health and oral health status of children attending crèches in Wallacedene.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The school, a viable educational site for interdisciplinary health promotion
    (Taylor & Francis, 2004) Waggie, Firdouza; Gordon, Natalie; Brijlal, Priscilla
    An interdisciplinary health promotion module, using the community-based teaching approach, is offered by the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Schools in Delft, a poor socio-economic area with high unemployment, crime and a range of social problems, are used as the teaching site