IADR Abstract Archives
Assessment of the maxillo-facial & oral surgeon’s academic education and services regarding cleft lip/palate and craniofacial differences in South Africa
Objectives: Measure the exposure and knowledge level of maxillo-facial & oral surgeons (MFOS) in cleft lip/palate (CLP) and craniofacial deformities (CFD) management.
Describe the services provided by MFOS to CLP and CFD patients in South Africa
Obtain an opinion from maxillo-facial & oral surgeons about the current CLP and CFD academic educational needs
Methods: An online survey and telephone interviews through a structured questionnaire to investigate the MFOS academic education and services provided to CLP and CFD patients
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 54 maxillo-facial surgeons, of which 64.81 % have more than 10 years of professional experience. Of the respondents, 62 % showed a good general knowledge of CLP and CFD. However, 80.8 % acknowledged their limited clinical exposure during their academic education. Only 42.4 % of the professionals offer treatment for CLP and CFD patients, and 26.5 % of them participate in multidisciplinary teams. 92.59 % of the respondents, agreed on the need for a dedicated academic training programmes for CLP and CFD management, 40.79 % suggested full-time degree courses and 36.84 % suggested non-degree courses and a training only fellowship.
Conclusions: There is a need to establish an educational strategy for CLP and CFD clinical management services. This study also provided information about the MFOS management protocol of CLP and CFD in South Africa
Describe the services provided by MFOS to CLP and CFD patients in South Africa
Obtain an opinion from maxillo-facial & oral surgeons about the current CLP and CFD academic educational needs
Methods: An online survey and telephone interviews through a structured questionnaire to investigate the MFOS academic education and services provided to CLP and CFD patients
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 54 maxillo-facial surgeons, of which 64.81 % have more than 10 years of professional experience. Of the respondents, 62 % showed a good general knowledge of CLP and CFD. However, 80.8 % acknowledged their limited clinical exposure during their academic education. Only 42.4 % of the professionals offer treatment for CLP and CFD patients, and 26.5 % of them participate in multidisciplinary teams. 92.59 % of the respondents, agreed on the need for a dedicated academic training programmes for CLP and CFD management, 40.79 % suggested full-time degree courses and 36.84 % suggested non-degree courses and a training only fellowship.
Conclusions: There is a need to establish an educational strategy for CLP and CFD clinical management services. This study also provided information about the MFOS management protocol of CLP and CFD in South Africa