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Assessing Dental Practitioners' Training, Knowledge, and Confidence Regarding Abscesses with Incision and Drainage
Rahma Mungia1, Sowmya Renuka2, Jasleen Kaur1
1South Texas Oral Health Network, Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
Background:
This study assessed dental practitioners' training, knowledge, confidence, and continuing education (CE) on performing small (<5 mm) and large (>5 mm) abscess incision and drainage procedures, a critical intervention to prevent abscess progression and complications.
Methods:
An electronic data capture (REDCap) survey of 30 questions was conducted in the South Texas Oral Health Network (STOHN), a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN).
Results:
112 practitioners participated in the study. Dental practitioners' who performed incision and drainage procedures were 1) less likely to have didactic small (38% vs 62%) and large (39% vs 61%) abscess incision and drainage procedures training in dental school in one semester (p<.05) and 2) were more likely to perceive their training to be adequate/sufficient 76% vs. 15% (p<.001). Dental practitioners who performed incision and drainage procedures were more likely to report good or very strong knowledge of small and large abscess incision and drainage procedures (69% vs. 43%, p=.002). Those who performed incision and drainage procedures were more likely to report higher confidence in acute abscess incision and drainage procedures (88% vs 60% confident, p=.002). Dental practitioners with only didactic training (including lectures or seminars in dental school) (11.6%) were less likely to perform incision and drainage procedures (p<.001). Furthermore, those with only didactic training in school reported less knowledge (21% vs 1% with little knowledge, p=.021) and confidence (40% vs 12% with little confidence, p=.021). Practitioners who attended CE courses on incision and drainage were more confident and likely to perform the procedure (p<.05), yet only 12% relied on CE for large abscess training, highlighting an education gap.
Conclusion:
Education, training, and CE participation impact a practitioner's confidence and likelihood of performing incision and drainage procedures, highlighting the need for expanded hands-on CE opportunities to enhance competence and patient care.