Integrating Oral Health: Physician Assistant Education in 2017

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Oral Health Integration
• Physician Assistant Studies

Background:

• A 2014 study found 78% of physician assistant (PA) programs integrated oral health content.
• This study builds on previous research assessing oral health curriculum in PA education.
• It involved a partnership between leading oral health and PA education organizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the inclusion of oral health in US PA education programs in 2017.
• To evaluate the quantity and quality of oral health integration.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to integrating oral health content.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was distributed to all US PA program directors.
• The survey utilized predefined response options and allowed for narrative comments.
• Data collection focused on the extent and nature of oral health curriculum integration.

Main Results:

• Greater inclusion of oral health curriculum was observed in 2017 compared to 2014.
• Both the number of programs offering oral health education and the curriculum's breadth increased.
• This indicates a positive trend in integrating oral health into PA training.

Conclusions:

• Strategies to equip PA faculty with oral health competencies are effective and sustainable.
• Continued faculty development is recommended to further expand oral health content.
• The findings support the ongoing integration of oral health into PA education.