A Survey of Senior Dental Students ’ Experiences with Young Dental Patients in Pennsylvania
ject ’ s comfort level with clinical examination of young children and perceived willingness to provide care to young children in practice .
MATERIALS AND METHODS Subsequent to Institutional Review Board approval , anonymous paper surveys were distributed by mail to graduating dental students from the three Pennsylvania dental schools : University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine , Kornberg School of Dentistry Temple University and University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine . The survey consisted of 15 questions divided into 3 main categories and based on the guidelines for infant oral health from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry . Five questions related to student ’ s pediatric dental didactic education with respect to infant oral health . Six questions related to student ’ s experiences in examining pediatric patients younger than two years of age , and four questions related to student ’ s intentions to examine pediatric patients in their practices upon graduation .
Statistical Analysis No formal sample size calculation was performed as the intent was to capture the universe of graduating senior dental students in Pennsylvania . Chi-Square analysis was used to determine if a statistically significant association existed between variables of interest . A double tailed analysis was set up with a significance level of p <. 05 ( Stata v . 10.1 Statacorp , College Station , Texas ).
RESULTS A total of 400 surveys were distributed . There was a response rate of approximately 42 percent with 167 returned surveys . Eighty ( 47.9 percent ) of the surveys correctly identified 12 months as the recommended age for the first dental exam . Of the returned surveys , 73 ( 44 percent ) reported they had been taught how to perform an infant oral exam in lecture while 41 ( 24.6 percent ) stated that they had seen an exam performed in a classroom setting , with another 45 ( 26.7 percent ) having seen an exam performed in a clinical setting ( Fig . 1 ). Only 28 ( 16.9 percent ) stated that they themselves had performed an examination on a patient younger than 2 years of age . ( Fig . 2 ). Only 18 percent of participants stated they planned to see patients younger than 2 years of age upon graduation . As patient age increased , student willingness to provide dental care to children increased as well , with 22.6 percent willing to see 3-6 year olds , 29.3 percent willing to treat
Fig 1 . Graduating dental students ’ exposure to infant oral examination on patients younger than 2 years of age .
90.0 %
80.0 %
70.0 %
60.0 %
50.0 %
40.0 %
30.0 %
20.0 %
10.0 %
0.0 %
35.0 %
30.0 %
25.0 %
20.0 %
15.0 %
10.0 %
5.0 %
0.0 %
Taught how to perform exam in lecture
0-2 years of age
YES
Observed exam performed in the classroom
3-6 years of age
NO
Observed exam performed in a clinical setting
7-11 years of age
Performed exam themselves
Fig 2 . Patient age groups that graduating dental students would be willing to see in their own offices upon graduation .
80.0 % 75.0 % 70.0 % 65.0 % 60.0 % 55.0 % 50.0 % 45.0 % 40.0 % 35.0 % 30.0 % 25.0 % 20.0 % 15.0 % 10.0 % 5.0 % 0.0 %
12 + years of age
Fig 3 . Percentages of dental students who are willing to see children younger than 2 years of age in their own offices based on their experiences in dental school .
Performed infant exams in Dental School
YES
Plans on taking classes in Pediatric Dentistry post graduation
NO
Enjoyed their didatic training
Enjoyed their clinical training
28 September / October 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal