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A Content Analysis of Special Needs Curriculum in Australian Oral Health Programs
Dorothy Koh1, Delyse Leadbeatter1, Melanie Aley1
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Summary
Australian dental programs show inconsistent special needs dentistry (SND) training. Enhancing curriculum is crucial to prepare graduates for diverse patient needs and reduce oral health disparities for people with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health Education
- Special Needs Dentistry Curriculum
- Disability Oral Care
Background:
- Special needs dentistry (SND) is vital for addressing the oral health of individuals with disabilities.
- Existing Australian undergraduate oral health programs may have varying levels of SND integration.
- Standardized training is essential for a competent oral health workforce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incorporation of special needs dentistry (SND) content in Australian undergraduate oral health programs.
- To assess the depth and sufficiency of SND training provided in these programs.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of publicly available information from Australian oral health course websites.
- Comparison of curriculum content with International Association for Disability and Oral Health (iADH) learning domains and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in the depth and scope of SND content across Australian institutions was observed.
- Inconsistent training standards were identified, with some programs offering minimal SND exposure.
- Disparities in theoretical and clinical components of SND training were evident.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear need for improved curriculum development in special needs dentistry (SND) within Australian oral health programs.
- Enhanced SND training is necessary to better prepare graduates to manage the complex dental needs of people with disabilities.
- Strengthening SND education can contribute to reducing oral health disparities for vulnerable populations.
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