Special Care Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Dental Public Health, Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
J Dent Educ. 2021 May;85(5):690-698. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12528. Epub 2021 Jan 21.
The Special Care Dentistry (SCD) undergraduate program increasingly aims to address student attitudes toward people with disabilities (PWD). One of the efforts made by the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya (FODUM), is to introduce Disability Equality Training (DET) as part of the learning activity in the SCD curriculum. This study aimed to explore students' perception about the DET program.
This was a qualitative research project exploring students' perception toward DET in 2 cohorts of third-year dental students from FODUM (n = 100). The reflection notes were analyzed using Luborsky's method of thematic analysis. Identification of themes was based on statements that were most frequently reported by students.
The majority of the students gave positive feedback for the training, which includes enhanced knowledge, attitudes, and skills about treating PWD. They also reflected that the DET improved their understanding of social and professional responsibility. In terms of learning experience, many reported that the training was useful and enjoyable. Students' suggestions for improvement included learning "sign language", visiting special needs centers, and providing simulation exercises involving real PWD.
Students' comments on the DET were positive and they enjoyed the learning experience. The findings support the continuation of DET as part of the undergraduate dental curriculum. Dental institutions seeking to implement or refine the SCD curriculum are encouraged to include DET based on its potential benefits for undergraduate students.
特殊护理牙科（SCD）本科课程越来越注重解决学生对残疾人士（PWD）的态度问题。马来亚大学牙科学院（FODUM）的努力之一是将残疾平等培训（DET）作为 SCD 课程学习活动的一部分引入。本研究旨在探讨学生对 DET 项目的看法。
这是一项定性研究项目，探索了来自 FODUM 的两批三年级牙科学生（n=100）对 DET 的看法。使用 Luborsky 的主题分析方法对反思笔记进行分析。主题的识别基于学生最常报告的陈述。
大多数学生对培训给予了积极的反馈，包括增强了对 PWD 治疗的知识、态度和技能。他们还反映，DET 提高了他们对社会责任和专业责任的理解。在学习体验方面，许多人表示培训很有用且有趣。学生们提出的改进建议包括学习“手语”、参观特殊需求中心以及提供涉及真实 PWD 的模拟练习。
学生对 DET 的评价是积极的，他们喜欢这种学习体验。调查结果支持将 DET 作为本科牙科课程的一部分继续进行。鼓励寻求实施或完善 SCD 课程的牙科机构，根据 DET 对本科生的潜在益处，将其纳入课程。
