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Oral Health Training in Pediatric Residency Programs: Pediatric Program Directors' Perspectives
Michelle Dalal1, Judith A Savageau1, Hugh Silk1
1Michelle Dalal, MD, is Staff Physician, Reliant Medical Group, Milford, MA, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMass Memorial Medical Center; Judith A. Savageau, MPH, is Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UMass Medical School; Hugh Silk, MD, MPH, is Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UMass Medical School; and Inyang Isong, MD, MPH, ScD, is Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School and Attending Physician, Boston Children's Hospital.
Pediatric residency programs show improved oral health training, particularly in fluoride varnish application. However, further curriculum enhancements are needed to fully develop residents' oral health competence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Dental Public Health
- Medical Education
Background:
- A previous study in 2011 identified significant opportunities to enhance oral health training within pediatric residency programs.
- Pediatric residents require improved oral health competence to address children's dental needs effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the progress made in pediatric residency programs' oral health training since the 2011 study.
- To assess the current structure and influencing factors of oral health education in pediatric and med-peds residency programs.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up survey was administered in 2017 to program directors of allopathic pediatric and med-peds residency programs.
- The survey assessed the duration of oral health education and the integration of specific training components, such as fluoride varnish application.
Main Results:
- The response rate for the 2017 survey was 40% (110 program directors).
- While the proportion of residents receiving ≥3 hours of oral health education slightly decreased compared to 2011, training in fluoride varnish application significantly increased (83% in 2017 vs. 43% in 2011).
- Departmental support and the availability of an oral health elective were linked to higher satisfaction with resident competence.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric residency programs have enhanced oral health awareness and training, notably in fluoride varnish application.
- Despite improvements, deficiencies in program structure and variable perceptions of resident competence indicate a need for continued curriculum development in pediatric residency programs.