Associate Specialist/Clinical lecturer, School of Dental Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
General Professional Trainee, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Br Dent J. 2019 Jul;227(1):43-48. doi: 10.1038/s41415-019-0462-9.
Background Over the last two decades, the introduction of equality legislation has resulted in disabled people having improved opportunities and better access to services. Within the field of oral health care, the specialty of special care dentistry exists to act as an advocate for those with disabilities and it is recognised that there is a need to reduce health inequalities. To ensure the future dental workforce is able to respond to the needs of those with disabilities, education is key. This raises the question: 'are we adequately preparing future dental professionals to fulfil their obligations?'.Aim To explore final year dental students' insight into issues of disability in order to inform the undergraduate special care dentistry programme.Method Qualitative methods using focus groups were employed to address the research issue. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results Four main themes were identified: 'perceptions of disability', 'experience of disability', 'patient management' and 'teaching and learning'. The level of preparedness varied among students and could be attributed to: knowledge of disability issues; previous experience of people with disabilities; how education in the field of special care dentistry was delivered. Students identified the need for more structure to their teaching and increased exposure to the disabled community.Conclusion The issues identified reflect current literature and highlight the importance of addressing disability within the wider undergraduate curriculum. Responding to the 'student voice' has the potential to tailor elements of the special care dentistry programme, in order to address their educational needs.
背景
在过去的二十年中，平等立法的引入使残疾人有了更多的机会和更好的服务渠道。在口腔保健领域，特殊保健牙科专业的存在是为了为残疾人士提供支持，并且已经认识到需要减少健康不平等。为了确保未来的牙科劳动力能够满足残疾人士的需求，教育是关键。这就提出了一个问题：“我们是否充分准备未来的牙科专业人员履行他们的义务？”。
目的
探讨牙科学最后一年的学生对残疾问题的见解，以为本科特殊保健牙科课程提供信息。
方法
使用焦点小组的定性方法来解决研究问题。使用主题分析对数据进行分析。
结果
“对残疾的看法”、“残疾经历”、“患者管理”和“教学”。学生的准备程度各不相同，这可以归因于：对残疾问题的了解；与残疾人的先前接触；特殊保健牙科领域教育的传授方式。学生认为需要为他们的教学提供更多的结构，并增加与残疾社区的接触。
结论
确定的问题反映了当前的文献，并强调了在更广泛的本科课程中解决残疾问题的重要性。回应“学生的声音”有可能调整特殊保健牙科课程的各个要素，以满足他们的教育需求。
