Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2005
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
6
Issue:
2

Teaching undergraduates Special Care Dentistry

This paper describes the Special Care Dentistry course (SCD) that is taught by the Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry at the Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Dental Institute in London. The aim of the course is to raise awareness and understanding about disabilities and their impact on general and oral health care among final year students. The course was audited in 2003 and 2004 and students treated an average of 8.5 and 7.7 patients respectively, over three clinical days. The majority of patients ( 4 7 % ) were medically compromised and in particular, a significant number were HIV positive. Undergraduates were asked for feedback on the course: the majority found the clinical supervision and the patient presentation very helpful. A selection of free comments from the students is included with their suggestions for improvements. Future plans for the course are described including the need to increase students’ experience in SCD by improving recall systems and clinic facilities. More time will be allocated for reflection. Dental nurses will be more involved in teaching, running the practical session in moving and handling and drawing up antibiotic cover. It is hoped that future graduates will leave with an insight into Special Care Dentistry and may consider it as a future career particularly when/if a speciality is established. Key words: Special Care Dentistry, teaching, undergraduate

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
82
Page End
88
Authors
Carole A Boyle

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial - A Time to remember
  2. 54
  3. 54

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. The effectiveness of different toothbrushes for people with special needs
  2. 65
  3. 71

  1. A report from an investigation of abnormal oral reflexes, lip trauma and awareness levels in patients with profound brain damage
  2. 72
  3. 78

  1. Teaching undergraduates Special Care Dentistry
  2. 82
  3. 88

  1. Comprehensive dental care for special needs children under day-stay general anaesthesia – treatment outcomes and post-operative morbidity
  2. 89
  3. 92

  1. Stock fit as an alternative to custom finger guard mouth props for examination and treatment of patients with special needs
  2. 93
  3. 97

  1. Book Reviews
  2. 98
  3. 99

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