IIUM Repository

Refining competency benchmarks: a scoping review of Angoff standard-setting in dental education

Lin, Galvin Sim Siang and Badrul Hisham, Abdul Rauf and Abdul Majid, Muhammad Nazmi and Foong, Chan Choong and Ho, Ting Khee and Friedlander, Lara T. (2026) Refining competency benchmarks: a scoping review of Angoff standard-setting in dental education. BMC Oral Health, 26 (1). pp. 1-12. ISSN 1472-6831

[img]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Download (1MB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF - Supplemental Material
Download (145kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF - Supplemental Material
Download (205kB) | Preview

Abstract

Background Summative assessments in dental education are important for evaluating competencies and ensuring that graduates meet the required standards for independent practice and regulatory expectations through standard-setting. This scoping review aimed to appraise the current evidence on the use of the Angoff standard-setting method in dental education. Methods This scoping review followed the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, incorporating five key stages: formulating research questions, identifying and selecting relevant studies, charting the data, and collating and summarising results. The review involved a systematic search of six databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) and two major dental education journals up to May 2024 using specific search terms, with duplicates removed via EndNote X9 software. Two investigators (GSSL & ARBH) independently applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to select relevant studies published in English language, with a third investigator (MNAM) resolving any disagreements. Data extraction was performed independently by four investigators (GSSL, ARBH, MNAM, CCF) using a Google Spreadsheet, and findings were analysed through quantitative frequency and qualitative thematic analysis. Results Out of the 1412 records, ten articles were selected after screening. The Angoff and Modified Angoff methods showed good reliability and pass rates, although the results varied between studies. Factors such as exam difficulty, panel-item interaction, age, and repeated test attempts might have influenced score variation, while inter-rater reliability remained strong across studies using Angoff methods. Conclusion Although the Angoff and Modified Angoff methods provide flexible, expert-driven approaches to standard-setting, their effectiveness depends on contextual factors such as assessment design, panel training, and educational objectives. Dental educators should therefore tailor implementation to programme and assessment needs rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Assessment, Dental education, Educational measurement, Health profession
Subjects: R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Restorative Dentistry
Kulliyyah of Dentistry
Depositing User: Dr Galvin Sim Siang Lin
Date Deposited: 06 Jul 2026 14:14
Last Modified: 06 Jul 2026 14:14
Queue Number: 2026-06-Q3764
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129471

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item