Journal article
Introducing dental students to dental public health: An analysis of US predoctoral course syllabi
Journal of dental education, Vol.87(5), pp.654-659
05/2023
DOI: 10.1002/jdd.13163
PMID: 36597728
Abstract
Dental public health competencies in predoctoral dental education ensure that students have the skills to succeed in an increasingly complex professional environment. This study examined existing public health curricula in US dental education and their alignment with national recommendations from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD) and guidance from the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force for health professions education programs. We contacted all US dental schools (N = 66) in November 2020-January 202 and requested syllabi for schools' first course with dental public health content. We received 34 syllabi, which provided textual data for content analysis. The authors used an initial content analysis tool to extract descriptive course characteristics. Then, direct and emergent coding was performed to summarize course content. Direct codes included the 23 dental public health topics specified by AAPHD recommendations. Uncategorized content was coded using an inductive approach to identify emergent course themes. Frequently covered topics included principles of dental public health (79% of syllabi) and access to care (79%). "Health disparities" was the most common emergent theme, with 50% of courses including related content. There was little consistency in how courses approached each topic. For example, the topic "access to care" covered healthcare delivery systems, determinants of health, legislative reform, and advocacy. Dental public health was often taught alongside unrelated content. Recommendations for dental public health competencies should be updated to include new educational priorities, align with current national recommendations, and align with Commission on Dental Accreditation Standards more clearly.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Introducing dental students to dental public health: An analysis of US predoctoral course syllabi
- Creators
- Susan C McKernan - Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, Iowa, USAJennifer M C Sukalski - University of IowaEmily E Starman - University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, Iowa, USAMiriam M Mayhle - University of WashingtonHaley A Holland - University of WashingtonDonald L Chi - University of Washington
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of dental education, Vol.87(5), pp.654-659
- DOI
- 10.1002/jdd.13163
- PMID
- 36597728
- NLM abbreviation
- J Dent Educ
- ISSN
- 0022-0337
- eISSN
- 1930-7837
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 01/04/2023
- Date published
- 05/2023
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984355759802771
Metrics
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