Dr. Dechsak Nakhapaksirat: Dental instructor at Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Thailand
Dr. Dechsak Nakhapaksirat is a highly experienced educator and researcher in the field of dentistry, with a focus on clinical education, decision-making, and patient safety. He currently holds the position of Assistant Dean for Dental Education at the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, where he also serves as a lecturer in the Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology. With a robust academic background, Dr. Nakhapaksirat is dedicated to improving dental education through evidence-based strategies and innovation.
Online Profiles:
Dr. Nakhapaksirat maintains a professional online presence through academic platforms such as ResearchGate, where he shares his research and connects with peers globally. His contributions to the field of dental education and clinical decision-making are widely recognized, particularly through his research on cognitive biases in dentistry and the development of dental curricula.
Education:
Dr. Nakhapaksirat completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Mahidol University in 2002, followed by postgraduate training in General Dentistry. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Medical Education from the University of Dundee (2016) and a PhD in Clinical Education from the University of Edinburgh (2021), cementing his expertise in the intersection of education and dentistry.
Research Focus:
His research interests are centered on clinical errors, patient safety, critical thinking, and cognitive biases in dental decision-making. Dr. Nakhapaksirat has contributed to several studies aimed at improving clinical judgment, reasoning, and curriculum development within dental programs. His work aims to enhance the quality of dental education by identifying key challenges and proposing practical solutions.
Experience:
Dr. Nakhapaksirat has over 15 years of experience in dental education and clinical practice. He has held multiple leadership positions, including Assistant Dean for Human Resources and Special Activities and Assistant Dean for Dental Education at Mahidol University. His academic roles also involve supervising research projects and teaching dental students about oral medicine, clinical decision-making, and diagnostic skills.
Research Timeline:
His research journey spans several years, beginning with his work on cognitive biases in clinical decision-making, and has evolved to include studies on improving dental students’ clinical performance, patient safety, and the development of dental curricula. Key milestones include his 2016 Master’s research on newly graduated dentists and his 2021 PhD thesis exploring clinical decision-making processes in dentistry.
Awards & Honors:
Dr. Nakhapaksirat has been recognized for his contributions to dental education and research, notably with several poster and oral presentations at prestigious international conferences. His academic achievements are highlighted by his publication in the Journal of Dental Education and his involvement in developing curricula to improve clinical decision-making and diagnostic skills in dental students.
Top-Noted Publication:
One of his significant publications is “Evaluation of teaching cognitive bias for dental students during the transition to independent dental practice,” published in the Journal of Dental Education. This work has contributed to the understanding of cognitive biases in dental education and the impact they have on clinical decision-making, marking a key development in his research on improving dental education practices.
One of Dr. Nakhapaksirat’s significant contributions to dental education is his article titled “Evaluation of Teaching Cognitive Bias to Dental Students During the Transition to Independent Dental Practice,” published in the Journal of Dental Education on December 17, 2024. This article explores how cognitive biases affect the decision-making processes of dental students as they transition into independent practice. The study provides valuable insights into improving educational strategies to address these biases, ensuring that students develop stronger clinical reasoning skills. The publication can be accessed with the DOI: 10.1002/jdd.13811.