IADR Abstract Archives
Paediatric Dentistry Specialty Training: Oral Medicine and the Medically-Compromised Child
Objectives: In adult dentistry, medically-compromised patients or those with orofacial disease are cared for by specialists in oral medicine (OM) and special care dentistry. Paediatric dentists care for these child patients and therefore need appropriate training described in the curricula from the UK General Dental Council and the Specialty Advisory Committee. Prevalence of congenital and chronic disease in children is increasing and future specialists therefore need an understanding of health, disease and OM. This study of paediatric dentist specialty trainees aimed to determine if current teaching and assessment was fulfilling these needs.
Methods: A survey was distributed to UK and Ireland specialty trainees to gain opinion on whether knowledge gained prior to entering training, and teaching & learning during training equipped them for management of medically-compromised children and those with OM conditions.
Results: There was a response rate of 51%. Most were aware of the curriculum elements for medically-compromised children and OM, and the linked teaching and assessments. The majority felt that knowledge and experience gained as undergraduates and early graduates was insufficient and recognised the need for these topics in speciality training. Teaching and learning included specialist-clinic attendance (e.g.: OM), lectures/seminars, and postgraduate degrees in paediatric dentistry. For medically-compromised children, 96% of trainees felt this learning was considered a good use of time, and 88% felt this topic should be given more attention. For OM 96% of trainees considered this learning a good use of time, and 69% felt this topic should be given more attention.
Conclusions: Trainees recognise that knowledge and experience of managing medically-compromised patients and those with OM conditions is an important part of their curricula, and these areas need greater emphasis, especially in light of changing demographics with congenital and acquired chronic disease, oral manifestations of systemic disease and the presentation of children with OM conditions.
Methods: A survey was distributed to UK and Ireland specialty trainees to gain opinion on whether knowledge gained prior to entering training, and teaching & learning during training equipped them for management of medically-compromised children and those with OM conditions.
Results: There was a response rate of 51%. Most were aware of the curriculum elements for medically-compromised children and OM, and the linked teaching and assessments. The majority felt that knowledge and experience gained as undergraduates and early graduates was insufficient and recognised the need for these topics in speciality training. Teaching and learning included specialist-clinic attendance (e.g.: OM), lectures/seminars, and postgraduate degrees in paediatric dentistry. For medically-compromised children, 96% of trainees felt this learning was considered a good use of time, and 88% felt this topic should be given more attention. For OM 96% of trainees considered this learning a good use of time, and 69% felt this topic should be given more attention.
Conclusions: Trainees recognise that knowledge and experience of managing medically-compromised patients and those with OM conditions is an important part of their curricula, and these areas need greater emphasis, especially in light of changing demographics with congenital and acquired chronic disease, oral manifestations of systemic disease and the presentation of children with OM conditions.