Dental students' attitudes and perspectives on communicating with paediatric patients and their parents

Effective communication skills are crucial in paediatric dentistry, as they enhance diagnostic accuracy, patient satisfaction, and treatment success. However, many dental students struggle with paediatric interactions and report low confidence when managing young patients. This study explores dental students' perceptions of learning communication skills and how these skills develop during a paediatric dental study course, offering insights through which to improve educational strategies and student preparedness.

This study involved 139 fourth-year dental students (2022-2024). Students completed pre- and post-course questionnaires as part of a paediatric dental study course. The questionnaires included background demographics, the Communication Skills Attitude Scale (CSAS), and questions assessing students' confidence in examining and communicating with children aged 0 to 15 years, as well as communicating with their parents. The 26-item tool and students' confidence were answered on a five-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, Pearson's correlations, and Cronbach's alpha.

Overall CSAS scores remained stable pre- and post-course (3.9 ± 0.4). Female students scored significantly higher on the CSAS than male students, and positive correlations emerged between CSAS scores, lecture attendance, and perceived course benefit. Students' confidence in managing paediatric patients and interacting with parents improved post-course, with greater challenges reported for younger children, particularly those up to three years of age. Students with children or prior experience of caring for children reported higher confidence levels when interacting with paediatric patients, while those with previous academic education felt more confident communicating with parents and relatives.

This study underscores the importance of communication training in paediatric dentistry. While students maintained positive attitudes, they perceived challenges when interacting with children up to age three, highlighting the need for targeted training to address the unique challenges of interacting with younger patients. A comprehensive and longitudinal approach in communication skills education, incorporating diverse learning methods, is essential to further strengthen students' confidence and better prepare them for dental paediatric patient interactions. By fostering these skills throughout dental education, institutions can contribute to improving the quality of paediatric dental care and ensuring better patient outcomes.