Pre‐ and Postdoctoral Dental Education Compared to Practice Patterns in Special Care Dentistry

Abstract

There has been limited research into the impact of predoctoral experiences and postdoctoral general dentistry residencies on the practice patterns of dentists in the care of patients with special or complex needs. This study was undertaken to determine if educational experiences with special populations had a relationship to practice patterns after graduation or residency. University of the Pacific alumni who graduated between 1997 and 2007 were surveyed regarding their pre‐ and postdoctoral dental education and their practice patterns for the care of patients categorized as medically compromised, frail elders, and developmentally disabled. Definitions for each patient category were provided. Alumni were asked about their practice setting and postdoctoral education. Thirty‐one percent (n=526) of those surveyed responded. Regression analyses showed respondents not in private practice were more likely to have completed a postdoctoral general dentistry program (Advanced Education in General Dentistry or General Practice Residency) after dental school compared to respondents in private practice (p<0.001). Across all age groups, respondents not in private practice treated significantly more patients with developmental disabilities than those in private practice (p<0.001). Respondents not in private practice treated more medically compromised patients younger than age sixty‐five compared to respondents in private practice (p<0.01). Interestingly, those in private practice treated significantly more patients over sixty‐five who were also classified as medically compromised (p<0.05). Pacific alumni who completed postdoctoral training in general dentistry were found to practice more often in non‐private practice settings. Alumni in non‐private practice settings reported treating a higher percentage of medically compromised patients below age sixty‐five than their counterparts in a typical private practice. The pre‐ and postdoctoral experiences of treating special needs populations appear to have a relationship to graduates' practice setting and patient population.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Patients’ Oral Health Behaviors and Barriers in Oral Care from Parents’ Perspectives

“…Parents with children with ASD in this study also demanded a proper training of healthcare professionals in handling children with ASD, as well as the other types of special needs children. Lack of exposure in clinical and didactic teaching amongst dental undergraduates [29][30][31][32][33][34] were among many other reasons of why there was a lack of consideration to providing dental care and treatment for people with special needs [35]. Ideally, based on a spectrum of need and disability [36], specialists in Special Care Dentistry (SCD) have a role to play in managing individuals with the most severe and profound disability compared to those with mild to moderate disability.…”

“…The latter only require specialist dental care when additional support or expert opinions are required. Increased education, exposure, and training in managing patients with special needs at dental school can improve the general dentist skills in managing patients with mild to moderate disability [31]. When there are more general dentists who are well trained to treat these patients, a large cohort of them can access professional dental services.…”

Attitude and willingness of pediatric dentists regarding dental care for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities

“…Unfortunately, immense inequalities still exist in relation to oral health, particularly amongst patients requiring special care. The population of patients with complex needs has been rapidly growing and represents a group of patients that has great challenges in accessing oral health care . Advances in medical technology have increased the likelihood that people with multiple medical problems and developmental disabilities will have a longer life expectancy .…”

“…The population of patients with complex needs has been rapidly growing and represents a group of patients that has great challenges in accessing oral health care . Advances in medical technology have increased the likelihood that people with multiple medical problems and developmental disabilities will have a longer life expectancy . These children have higher health care utilization rates compared with other children .…”

“…The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) defines competent as “having the knowledge, skills and value required for the graduates to begin independent, unsupervised specialty practice.” Many studies have evaluated the quality of education in special care dentistry in dental schools and general dentist's perception of educational and treatment issues . There has been limited research on attitude and willingness of pediatric dentists towards the treatment of children with special needs.…”