IADR Abstract Archives
Oral Surgery Trainee Perspective on Surgical Abilities
Objectives: To determine the confidence levels of Dental Core Trainees (DCT), i.e. junior trainees within 4 years of graduation, in the management of procedures/conditions classed as Level 1&2 in the new National Health Service Oral Surgery Commissioning document.
To inform the training needs of the DCTs.
Methods: All Oral Surgery (OS) DCTs at the Birmingham Dental Hospital, UK, in 2015/16 were identified.
A questionnaire was devised on the trainee’s confidence levels related to Care Complexity Levels 1&2 for OS procedures/conditions.
Level 1- procedure/conditions to be performed or managed by a clinician with level of competence on completion of undergraduate and 1 year of post-graduate Dental Foundation Training (DFT).
Level 2- procedural and/or patient complexity requiring a clinician with enhanced skills and experience.
This was completed at the beginning of the post for baseline abilities.
Results: Nine OS trainees participated (7 female). All DCTs had completed DFT. Over half (5 out of 9) had previous OS experience in a hospital setting.
Level 1:
All trainees were fairly/very confident in extractions of erupted teeth. More experienced DCTs had greater confidence (80% fairly/very confident) than inexperienced DCTs (25% fairly confident) in the management of various conditions including oral mucosal disease and dental trauma.
Level 2:
Most DCTs (8 of 9) were fairly confident in the surgical removal of uncomplicated third molars and retained roots. Their confidence levels dropped dramatically, with only one DCT being fairly confident in performing more complex surgical procedures such as surgical exposure of ectopic teeth. 100% of DCTs were either fairly/very unconfident in implant placement.
Conclusions: All DCTs had greater confidence in embarking in the management of Level 1 procedures/conditions compared to Level 2. Previous OS experience accounted for the greater confidence levels for Level 1 procedures. Further training is required to address their training needs, in particular Level 2.
To inform the training needs of the DCTs.
Methods: All Oral Surgery (OS) DCTs at the Birmingham Dental Hospital, UK, in 2015/16 were identified.
A questionnaire was devised on the trainee’s confidence levels related to Care Complexity Levels 1&2 for OS procedures/conditions.
Level 1- procedure/conditions to be performed or managed by a clinician with level of competence on completion of undergraduate and 1 year of post-graduate Dental Foundation Training (DFT).
Level 2- procedural and/or patient complexity requiring a clinician with enhanced skills and experience.
This was completed at the beginning of the post for baseline abilities.
Results: Nine OS trainees participated (7 female). All DCTs had completed DFT. Over half (5 out of 9) had previous OS experience in a hospital setting.
Level 1:
All trainees were fairly/very confident in extractions of erupted teeth. More experienced DCTs had greater confidence (80% fairly/very confident) than inexperienced DCTs (25% fairly confident) in the management of various conditions including oral mucosal disease and dental trauma.
Level 2:
Most DCTs (8 of 9) were fairly confident in the surgical removal of uncomplicated third molars and retained roots. Their confidence levels dropped dramatically, with only one DCT being fairly confident in performing more complex surgical procedures such as surgical exposure of ectopic teeth. 100% of DCTs were either fairly/very unconfident in implant placement.
Conclusions: All DCTs had greater confidence in embarking in the management of Level 1 procedures/conditions compared to Level 2. Previous OS experience accounted for the greater confidence levels for Level 1 procedures. Further training is required to address their training needs, in particular Level 2.