Evaluating the Experience and Achievement of Oral Health Care Training of Trainee Dentists

Abstract

 Abstract Recently, oral health care management of inpatients including perioperative oral health management has been observed. Since 2010, trainee dentists have been provided with 1 week of training on the oral health care program for inpatients, which was conducted at Showa University Dental Hospital. This study surveyed the self-examination ratio and evaluated the achievements of the dentists in oral health care training.

 A questionnaire survey was conducted for 137 trainee dentists who underwent clinical training at the Showa University Dental Hospital from April 2015 to March 2017. We obtained responses from 129 dentists. More than 95% of dentists had experience on two questions : “using an oral moisturizer” and “strategy for prevention of infection in hospital.” 53.5% responded to the question regarding “oral health care of patients wearing respirators,” which was the lowest percentage on self-examination. In the evaluation of their achievement, the trainees answered that they can do a little or enough for ≥80% of the questions. No difference was observed between the percentage of self-examination and evaluation of achievement depending on the training period.

 The percentage of self-examination was low in high-risk patients such as those wearing respirators, and only observation and assistance were maintained. Therefore, we proposed that standards should be formulated during oral health care training of trainee dentists.