Evaluating an interprofessional pharmacy and dental hygiene case-based learning activity with student reflections

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Dental Hygiene

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration between dentistry and pharmacy is valuable but often deficient in educational settings.
• Dental hygiene programs particularly lack opportunities for interprofessional learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a case-based interprofessional assignment on dental hygiene students' competencies.
• To evaluate changes in self-reported interprofessional competencies following an educational activity.

Main Methods:

• A case-based interprofessional assignment was integrated into the dental hygiene curriculum.
• Students completed reflections and the International Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS).

Main Results:

• Reflections highlighted knowledge gains in medication-related oral health concerns, systemic effects, and drug interactions.
• Students reported increased plans for future collaboration with pharmacists.
• ICCAS scores significantly improved across most domains post-activity.

Conclusions:

• The interprofessional education (IPE) activity enhanced dental hygiene students' knowledge of pharmacy and interprofessional communication.
• Students recognized the significance of medications on oral health and the value of collaboration.
• The IPE initiative positively influenced student perceptions of collaborating with pharmacists.