The objective of this research project was to compare alumni perceptions of predoctoral dental education in the care and management of patients with complex needs to alumni practice patterns. Alumni from the University of the Paciic Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry who graduated from 1997 to 2007 were surveyed regarding perceptions of their predoctoral education in the care of patients categorized and deined as medically compromised, frail elders, and developmentally disabled, as well as their practice patterns. Perceptions were rated on a Likert scale. Regression analyses were utilized. Three primary relationships were identiied: 1) positive relationships emerged between perceptions of educational value, as students and practitioners, of the training they received compared to percentages of medically compromised patients they currently treat (p≤0.05); 2) after practice experience, 2003-07 graduates reported signiicantly higher value of their education in this area compared to 1997-2002 graduates; and 3) alumni who reported treating more patients with complex needs during school reported treating signiicantly more of these patients in practice (p≤0.05). We conclude that alumni who reported educational experiences as more valuable treat more patients with complex needs compared to those who valued them less. Alumni who reported having more opportunities to treat patients with complex needs as students treat a higher percentage of those patients than those reporting fewer. Even positive perceptions may underestimate the value of educational experiences as they relate to future practice.

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There has been limited research into the impact of predoctoral experiences and postdoctoral general dentistry residencies on the practice patterns of dentists in the care of patients with special or complex needs. This study was undertaken to determine if educational experiences with special populations had a relationship to practice patterns after graduation or residency. University of the Pacific alumni who graduated between 1997 and 2007 were surveyed regarding their pre‐ and postdoctoral dental education and their practice patterns for the care of patients categorized as medically compromised, frail elders, and developmentally disabled. Definitions for each patient category were provided. Alumni were asked about their practice setting and postdoctoral education. Thirty‐one percent (n=526) of those surveyed responded. Regression analyses showed respondents not in private practice were more likely to have completed a postdoctoral general dentistry program (Advanced Education in General Dentistry or General Practice Residency) after dental school compared to respondents in private practice (p<0.001). Across all age groups, respondents not in private practice treated significantly more patients with developmental disabilities than those in private practice (p<0.001). Respondents not in private practice treated more medically compromised patients younger than age sixty‐five compared to respondents in private practice (p<0.01). Interestingly, those in private practice treated significantly more patients over sixty‐five who were also classified as medically compromised (p<0.05). Pacific alumni who completed postdoctoral training in general dentistry were found to practice more often in non‐private practice settings. Alumni in non‐private practice settings reported treating a higher percentage of medically compromised patients below age sixty‐five than their counterparts in a typical private practice. The pre‐ and postdoctoral experiences of treating special needs populations appear to have a relationship to graduates' practice setting and patient population.