Understanding the building blocks of the paediatric dentistry curriculum for undergraduate students in an Australian University

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the attitude of final-year dental students towards their paediatric dentistry training and their confidence in treating child patients. Methods A 55-item questionnaire was distributed online and physically to the final-year BDSc (Hons) students at The University of Queensland (Australia). The questionnaire consisted of four parts including theoretical knowledge, clinical observational experience, preclinical training and clinical training in paediatric dentistry. Self-reported confidence was recorded using five-point Likert scale questions ranging from ‘not confident at all’ to ‘completely confident’, which were allocated the numbers 1–5, respectively. Jamovi and GraphPad Prism were used for data analysis and creation of graphs. Results A total of 47 students completed the questionnaire giving a response rate of 77%. Approximately two-thirds of participants had previous experience working with children and 70% had observed a practitioner providing paediatric dental treatment. The students reported the lowest level of clinical confidence for pulp therapy ( M = 2.32; SD = 1.08). The clinical confidence in dental trauma management was also reported to be low ( M = 2.50; SD = 1.15). The clinical administration of local anaesthetic (LA) had the highest level of confidence ( M = 3.95; SD = 1.03). The students reported that they were highly confident in the theoretical knowledge of behaviour guidance techniques ( M = 3.64; SD = 0.97) and preclinical training involving examination, treatment planning and preventative procedures ( M = 4.33, SD = 0.67). Conclusion This study showed that students reported low levels of confidence in pulp therapies and trauma management in children as compared to other aspects of paediatric dentistry. Students indicated the need for more preclinical and clinical training sessions, as well as more opportunities to perform a wider variety of treatments on paediatric patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40368-021-00688-1.

Dental students and recent dental graduates' perceptions of preparedness in treating pediatric patients

“…Previous international literature has identified that the management of dental trauma is an aspect of pediatric dentistry in which students are the least confident 21 . For all three questions regarding dental trauma, both dental students and graduates reported low levels of confidence.…”

“…Previous international literature has identified that the management of dental trauma is an aspect of pediatric dentistry in which students are the least confident. 21 For all three questions regarding dental trauma, both dental students and graduates reported low levels of confidence. Dental trauma is an emergency management procedure; thus, many students do not get an opportunity to manage acute care while in dental school.…”

“…In order to increase confidence in pediatric dentistry, additional experiences are needed. One study has suggested that observation of more experienced providers treating children somewhat assists the student in gaining confidence in treating pediatric patients 21 . Dental simulators may also be a useful adjunct to clinical training.…”

“…One study has suggested that observation of more experienced providers treating children somewhat assists the student in gaining confidence in treating pediatric patients. 21 Dental simulators may also be a useful adjunct to clinical training. A study from one dental school integrated simulations into a predoctoral curriculum to increase clinical understanding from didactic learning.…”

Cost‐effectiveness analysis of silver diamine fluoride to divert dental general anaesthesia compared to standard care

“…ECC management can be impractical on dental chair, largely due to the limitations of patient co‐operation. 10 Other factors include the confidence of the dental practitioners, 11 primary carer preferences, 12 and may require multiple visits. For these reasons, dental general anaesthesia (DGA) has been a traditional management option to provide comprehensive dental caries treatment, particularly when multiple carious teeth needed be treated in one visit.…”