Pediatric Dental Education Improves Interprofessional Healthcare Students’ Clinical Competence in Children’s Oral Health Assessment

Abstract

Primary care and healthcare providers can facilitate children’s timely referral to a dental home. However, there are few studies of providers’ oral health knowledge and clinical skills. This study aims to improve future healthcare providers’ knowledge, confidence, attitude, and clinical competence in assessing children’s oral health. Sixty-five health professional students participated in a 10-week didactic and clinical curriculum on children’s oral health. Fifty students completed pre- and post-training questionnaires and were assessed in their knowledge, confidence, and attitude. Calibrated examiners graded students’ clinical skills on a 24-point grading criterion. Descriptive statistics, paired sample t-test, and Pearson correlation were used in data analyses. Students were in dentistry (46%), nursing (28%), medicine (22%), and pharmacy (3%). Students significantly improved in knowledge (t = −7.71, p < 0.001), confidence (t = −10.30, p = <0.001), and attitude (t = −4.24, p = <0.001). Students on average scored 83% on clinical competence, with the highest average for fluoride varnish application (96%) and lowest for providing anticipatory guidance (69%). There was a moderate correlation between improvement in knowledge and their clinical skills (r = 0.39, p = 0.010). Interprofessional education improves students’ knowledge, confidence, attitude, and clinical competence in assessing children’s oral health. Such education is necessary in guiding future providers to gain adequate competence in serving children’s oral health needs.

Attaining interprofessional competencies by connecting oral health to overall health

“…Prior to 2016, there were very few IPE studies that included dental students; that has changed as accreditation requirements have increased both the interest and expansion of IPE 12 . Recent literature includes a more representative sample of IPE student initiatives comprised of dental, medical, and family nurse practitioner students 13 ; dental, medical, nursing, and pharmacy students 14 ; dental and medical students 12 ; nurse practitioner and dental students 15 ; nursing, medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work students 9 ; and nursing and dental hygiene students 16 …”

“…Reports of IPE experiences were either didactic, 17–19 clinical, 12,13,15,16 a combination of didactic and clinical, 14 simulation, 20,21 or workshops 9 . Studies used measurement strategies that ranged from pre‐post surveys using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scales (RIPLS), 12,17 the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey (ICCAS), 9,16,19–21 to semi‐structured interviews 8,22,23 …”

“…Although the above‐mentioned IPE studies all reflect change in IP competencies, the combined didactic and clinical study by Niranjan et al. also assessed the increase in knowledge, confidence, and attitudes about children's oral health for dental, medical, nursing, and pharmacy students 14 …”

An approach to developing oral health knowledge for allied health students

“…Interprofessional educational strategies have been utilized for providing oral health education to medical and allied healthcare professional students including didactic education, online learning methods, and service learning 3,10 . Interprofessional and discipline‐specific oral health education programs have included dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health and engaged the students in didactic education, online curricula, and experiential learning 2,3,10–14 . These programs’ goals were to train healthcare providers in aspects of the IOHPCP competencies including oral health screening, prevention and education, and referral 2,3,8,10–14 .…”

“…3,10 Interprofessional and discipline-specific oral health education programs have included dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health and engaged the students in didactic education, online curricula, and experiential learning. 2,3,[10][11][12][13][14] These programs' goals were to train healthcare providers in aspects of the IOHPCP competencies including oral health screening, prevention and education, and referral. 2,3,8,[10][11][12][13][14] Efficacy of interprofessional and discipline-specific oral health education programs' ability to increase knowledge, competence, attitudes, and behaviors/skills has been found in dental, medical, nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant students.…”