Instruction in dental curricula to identify and assist domestic violence victims.

Since most domestic violence injuries occur in the head and neck areas, it is critical that dental professionals be prepared to identify, interview, and assist potential victims. The purposes of these surveys in 1996 and 2007 were to investigate U.S. and Canadian dental school curricula regarding the inclusion of domestic violence topics, determine the topics emphasized, determine beliefs of course directors about domestic violence issues, and report progress of dental curricula in preparing dental professionals regarding domestic violence over the eleven-year period. Surveys were sent to associate deans for academic affairs of dental schools in the United States and Canada in 1996 (N=64) and the United States in 2007 (N=56). Each academic dean was asked to forward the survey to the faculty member who taught this topic. Topics most frequently included and emphasized in dental school curricula were the responsibility of the health care professional (HCP) regarding domestic violence, how to identify physical and behavioral indicators, and how to refer the abused victim. The topics least frequently included and emphasized in the curricula regarded education of the abused and the impact of domestic violence on society. There were four strong beliefs reported by dental course directors: a trusting, professional rapport is essential for disclosure; the dentist or a dental team member may be the first HCP to recognize signs of abuse; the dentist has a professional responsibility to refer for assistance; and domestic violence education should be included in dental curricula. Over the eleven years, the surveys demonstrate that course directors have become more aware of the need to inform dental students about domestic violence and that more schools have increased the amount of information about domestic violence in dental courses. However, due to the complexity and sensitivity of this topic, course instructors in dental schools may consider other teaching methods to enhance learning. The authors identified the need for further course development and make recommendations to use experiential learning to enhance dental students' interpersonal and interviewing skills. These strategies may increase dentists' comfort and confidence when treating and assisting possible victims of domestic violence.

Women's health topics in dental hygiene curricula.

PURPOSE: Minimal inclusion of women's health topics in dental and dental hygiene curricula may not prepare dental health care workers to provide comprehensive health care to females. The purposes of these surveys in 2001 and 2007 were to investigate United States dental hygiene school curricula regarding inclusion of women's health topics in differing degree programs (associate/certificate, baccalaureate, associate/baccalaureate) and course status (required or elective). The surveys also identified sources used to obtain women's health topics, assessed faculty continuing education participation in women's health, determined satisfaction with current curricula, questioned if change was anticipated and if so in what topics, identified where students apply their knowledge about women's health and in what ways and reported progress of dental hygiene curricula over the 6 year time period. METHODS: Surveys were sent to dental hygiene program directors in 2001 (N=256) and in 2007 (N=288) asking them to complete the questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant association between 2001 and 2007 survey results by degree or program setting. The educational issue, women's general health continuing education courses/topics completed by dental hygiene faculty in the past 2 years, showed a statistically significant difference during that time interval. No statistically significant difference existed between the survey years regarding topics on women's general health and oral health. Regardless of statistical significance, further details investigated percentage differences that may reveal relevant issues. CONCLUSIONS: These surveys establish a baseline of women's health topics included in dental hygiene curricula in order to assess knowledge of dental hygienists in practice.

Dental hygienists' role in patient assessments and clinical examinations in U.S. dental practices: a review of the literature.

Dental hygienists are licensed primary oral healthcare professionals, oral health educators and clinicians who provide preventive, educational, and therapeutic services to support total health through oral health promotion. Performance of patient assessments and oral examinations are part of dental hygienists' educational preparation and standards of care. Oral health examinations are one of if not the most important services provided by dental professionals. The vast majority of dental hygienists are employed in private practices and there is no standardization of scope of practice and role expectations of dental hygienists among states in the U.S. Therefore, it is unclear to what extent dental hygienists perform oral examinations and whether the examinations are shared by hygienists and dentists. This paper reviews the literature to identify what we know and what we don't know about this important role of dental hygienists. Issues surrounding this topic are discussed, followed by recommendations for our profession.