Using Evaluation to Enhance Educational Support for Dental Teams in the UK

Abstract

Each United Kingdom regional postgraduate deanery offers courses and educational support for the NHS (National Health Service) primary care dental team, primarily through networks of tutors (dental educators). After reporting literature on effective continuing education and the role of evaluation, this article provides an analysis of five educational evaluations (2005-08), identifying key messages and distilling ways to enhance educational support for the UK dental team. These evaluations adopted case study design and principally employed interviews (n=51) and questionnaires (n=221). The studies' key messages and recommendations are as follows: clarify dental educator roles; provide strategic management and educational support for educators; ensure continuing education is matched to the learning needs of dental teams and specific groups; and use practice (office) visits to support practice (team) development plans. Evaluation enables initiatives to be evidence-informed, focus effort where most needed, argue for continued funding, and give voice to stakeholders. However, there is added value in a collective consideration of evaluation findings from related studies. Doing this has identified ways to enhance the strategic development of educational support for the UK dental team and is applicable in a wider context both nationally and internationally. Dr. Firmstone is

A review of continuing professional development for dentists in Europe

“…As well as maintaining regular CPD activities, it is important, perhaps more so in mandatory systems, that CPD is effective (54, 66, 86, 87). Effective CPD is that which enables the participants to gain new knowledge and/or skills.…”

Dental Continuing Professional Development – Part I: Background on Dental Continuing Professional Development in Europe

“…Furthermore, the public may be left with a false sense of security regarding the quality and standard of treatment they receive from the dental team. The question needs to be asked: if dental CPD is not evaluated properly, how can it be expected to improve quality standards 27 ?…”

“…TA B L E 1 Kirkpatrick's 5 levels of evaluation of a CPD programme adapted to healthcare CPD programmes (as cited by Belfield et al, 1 Dent CPD, 7 Firmstone et al 22 and Firmstone et al 27 probably due to the fact that dentistry is operative in nature as a profession. Barnes et al 5 highlighted the fact that these studies identify topics that dentists want.…”

“…The evidence shows that dental CPD does increase job satisfaction and enhances a positive work environment. 27 In fact, over 80% of European dental surgeons are in favour of mandatory CPD. 6 Firmstone et al 27 support the effectiveness of dental CPD so long as it is based on correct methods of evaluation.…”

Guidelines for the organisation of continuing professional development activities for the European dentist

“…Dental CPD activities should, when applicable, be designed to fulfil the needs of the whole dental team, which in turn should strengthen shared goals and enhance the implementation of novel techniques and ways of working within dentistry. There is an increasing drive across the dental profession for CPD activities to be delivered to the dental team‐dentists and dental support staff . In addition, there can be increased value in delivering some topics within the dental practice environment – making that topic relevant to those staff working together in the primary care environment.…”