A Content Analysis of Special Needs Curriculum in Australian Oral Health Programs

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which special needs dentistry (SND) content is incorporated into Australian undergraduate oral health programs and to assess the depth and sufficiency of training provided.

A comprehensive content analysis was conducted by reviewing publicly available information from the official websites of Australian oral health courses, including course handbooks and subject learning outcomes. The curriculum content was compared with the established learning domains and outcomes outlined by the International Association for Disability and Oral Health (iADH), which were accessed from publicly available documents on the organisation's website.

The analysis revealed significant variation in the depth and scope of SND content across different institutions, indicating a lack of consistency in training standards. Some programs demonstrated coverage of theoretical and clinical components, while others offered minimal exposure to SND-related content.

The findings highlight the need for enhanced education and training through curriculum development to improve the preparedness of the oral health workforce. Strengthening SND training can better equip graduates to meet the complex dental needs of people with disability and help reduce disparities in oral health care for this vulnerable population.