Periodontal‐Systemic Disease Education in U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools

Abstract

Research has proliferated in recent years regarding the relationship of oral disease to systemic conditions. Specifically, periodontal disease has been studied as a potential risk factor for multiple conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, while other research focuses on exposures or behaviors associated with oral disease. However, few articles have been published reporting how this information is integrated into schools of dentistry, both in the classroom and clinical curriculum. For our study, a thirty-three-item survey and cover letter were electronically mailed to academic deans at sixtyfive accredited dental schools in the United States and Canada in the fall of 2007. The response rate was 77 percent. According to the responses to this survey, the primary topics covered in the didactic curriculum regarding periodontal oral-systemic disease are aging, CVD, diabetes, and tobacco use. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents reported that their students are knowledgeable about the role of inflammation and its impact on oral-systemic conditions. Forty-eight percent of the respondents said they provide formal training for their students in how to discuss or communicate aspects of periodontal oral-systemic disease with patients. Only seven schools reported teaching didactic content to dental students intermixed with other health professions students, and only two schools reported conducting joint projects. Only 9 percent of the respondents said they think nurses and physicians are knowledgeable about oral-systemic disease. The findings indicate that dental schools are confident about the knowledge of their students regarding oral-systemic content. However, much work is needed to educate dental students to work in a collaborative fashion with other health care providers to co-manage patients at risk for oral-systemic conditions.

Campo institucional da Odontologia para pacientes com necessidades especiais na região metropolitana de São Paulo

“…A doença periodontal tem elevada prevalência entre os pacientes com diabetes e esse quadro foi descrito como sendo bastante comum nos pacientes do DOANAD. Foi observado como sendo freqüente, dentre os pacientes que recebem tratamento odontológico na instituição, que muitos deles se apresente para o tratamento odontológico com níveis glicêmicos descompensados, o que pode acarretar problemas importantes nos tratamentos cirúrgicos, uma vez que o diabetes afeta diretamente a circulação nos micro-vasos sanguíneos, comprometendo o sucesso do tratamento D'Ambrosio, 2001;Vernillo, 2003;Perrino, 2007;Lamster et al, 2008;Mealey, 2008a;Wilder et al, 2009). Outras manifestações menos frequentes também foram observadas, como queilite angular, aftas recidivantes e complicações na glândula parótida, o que é consistente com indicações da literatura (Sousa et al, 2003).…”

“…A interação dos dentistas que atuam na ANAD com a equipe médica é constante, relatos de intercorrências são informados aos médicos que atuam na instituição e reuniões para discussão de casos acontecem bimestralmente na associação. A participação do DOANAD em eventos acadêmicos e congressos reforçam o compromisso da unidade com o ensino (Radfar;Suresh, 2007;Mealey, 2008b;Wilder et al, 2009…”

Interdisciplinary health professions faculty's lived experiences with oral health curricular integration : an interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…Prior research on oral health curricular integration indicates that faculty attitudes, as well as their level of oral health knowledge and skills, need to be addressed before implementing an oral health curriculum (Dolce, Holloman, & Goodkind, 2016;Mouradian et al, 2005;Wilder et al, 2009). Exploring interdisciplinary health professions faculty's experiences with integrating oral health competencies into their curriculum may offer evidence about which factors influence successful oral health curricular integration and help foster sustained change.…”

“…A review of the literature reveals barriers to oral health curricular integration, including inadequate oral health education and training for non-dental health professions faculty (Dolce, Holloman, & Goodkind, 2016;Mouradian et al, 2005;Wilder et al, 2009). This is not surprising given the historical separation of oral health and overall health in health professions education and practice.…”

“…Dental providers (i.e., dentists and dental hygienists) learn about the link between oral health and general health during their professional training (Wilder et al, 2009;Wilder, Thomas, & Jared, 2008;). This training has prepared dental providers to expand their role as health providers and address their patients' systemic health conditions, such as diabetes (Genco et al, 2014) and hypertension, in the dental office (Herman, Konzelman, & Prisant, 2004).…”