An Interprofessional Small-Group Learning Experience in Early Childhood Caries With Fluoride Varnish Application

Early childhood caries has become a significant public health issue in selected populations in the US and is one of the most common infectious diseases of childhood. It is imperative therefore that medical and dental professionals collectively advocate for children's oral health and establish a medical workforce that is comfortable screening and providing anticipatory guidance related to dental caries. To address this issue, we used an interprofessional small-group approach to teach oral health concepts to both first-year medical and dental students, who are at the same learning stage regarding infectious disease knowledge and its relationship to oral health.

This small-group learning exercise uses the concept of the flipped classroom, in which students acquire foundational knowledge prior to the classroom experience, demonstrate their understanding prior to class by means of an online assessment, and actively apply this knowledge to a specific case. The instructional activities include a preparatory reading and assessment, a case-based interactive exercise, and a concluding hands-on oral exam and fluoride varnish application exercise.

More than 81% of participating faculty members and dental and medical students rated the experience as excellent or very good. Students stated they valued the presence of their peer counterparts in the learning experience.

This interprofessional experience, conducted early in professional school curricula, establishes a foundation for future cooperative working relationships as well as faculty development regarding oral health and local community health resources.