Global overview on current paediatric dentistry teaching: A survey of National Member Societies of the IAPD.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Published information on the teaching and recognition of paediatric dentistry (PD) is limited worldwide. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the status of current teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate training in PD and identify differences by country-level economic development. DESIGN: Representatives from 80 national member societies of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) were invited to complete a questionnaire on undergraduate and postgraduate PD curricula, types of postgraduate education offered, and recognition of the specialty. Country economic development level was classified according to the World Bank criteria. The chi-squared test and the Spearman correlation coefficient were used for data analysis (α = 0.005). RESULTS: Response rate was 63%. Teaching of PD at the undergraduate level was present in all countries, but PD specialization, master's, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) coursework were offered in 75%, 64%, and 53% of surveyed countries, respectively. Postgraduate specialization courses were offered in a significantly larger proportion of high-income countries than in upper-middle- or lower-middle-income countries (p < .01). In 20% of participating countries, PD was not an officially recognized specialty with no difference in recognition of the specialty by country's economic development level (p = .62). CONCLUSION: Paediatric dentistry is taught at the undergraduate level universally, but at the postgraduate level, significantly fewer courses are available, especially in lower-income countries.