Network Modelling and Visualisation Analysis of the Undergraduate Dental Curriculum System in China

Objectives: This study aims to present the characteristics of the undergraduate dental curriculum system using network modelling and visualisation analysis based on complex network theory, thus providing a theoretical foundation for the course development and curriculum reform. Methods: The correlation coefficient was used to quantify the intensity of the correlation between courses, and a visualisation complex network of the dental curriculum was built to explore the curriculum pattern from a dynamic perspective. Further, the statistical measurements of curriculum network were adopted to express the most relevant topological features. Subsequently, the minimum spanning tree and parallel coordinates plot were drawn to explore the curriculum community structure, quantify the key courses, and present different courses in time and space relationships. Results: The correlation analysis results show that the courses are closely related to each other. The main courses focus on pathology, pathophysiology, oral anatomy and physiology, closely connecting almost all medicine-related courses. The whole course network has an average degree value of 41.53, and a clustering coefficient of 0.78, indicating an obvious small-world characteristic. From the perspective of curriculum attributes, the number of public and theoretical courses was more than that of skills and practical courses. Moreover, the academic performance of skills and practical courses was lower than that of public and theoretical courses. Conclusion: The undergraduate dental courses have a progressive structure from basic professional knowledge to professional skills, which is reasonable for the dental education in China. However, some efforts towards curriculum reform based on this study are needed.

Educational interventions aimed at improving the oral health conditions of workers: A critical review

The aim of this research was to identify studies describing the educational and/or health-promoting interventions and strategies used in various programs of oral healthcare conducted in populations of industrial workers. A review of the Science, MEDLINE, LILACS and SCIELO databases was performed for the period between 1980 and 2009. The criteria for a publication to be in- cluded were: 1) the population had to consist of adult workers;and 2) the educational and/or health-promoting interventions had to have been described. A great variety of educational strategies was found, ranging from individual counseling to small-group discussions and instructions on oral hygiene with supervised tooth brushing. The presence of plaque and gingivitis were the most commonly used indicators of the effect of these interventions. Cost evaluation was also an important topic. In general, the indicators analyzed reflected positive results that included a reduction in the indicators themselves (plaque and gingivitis) and in the cost of the programs, suggesting a certain effect of the educational programs developed. Nevertheless, differences in forms of exposure according to the type of occupation are not discussed and neither are specific social determinants such as income and education level. The quality of the studies is limited, which reduces the robustness of the evidence on the effect of educational programs on the work population. Studies should be carried out using mixed approaches to evaluate the efficacy of these programs and propose improvements.

Preparing Health Professionals to Provide Care to Individuals with Disabilities

Aim To review the perceptions of dental/medical educators and their students in the United States on the adequacy of didactic and clinical preparation to provide service for individuals with disabilities. Methodology An e-mailed questionnaire with follow-up was sent to 198 deans of dental/medical schools, 1,628 directors of residency programs in nine medical/dental residency programs, 427 medical students in 12 medical schools, and 368 health related organizations, facilities and programs. Results More than half （58%） of the responding deans of medical schools and 50% of the deans of dental schools reported that a curriculum for patients with disabilities was not a high priority at their school. A majority （61%） of deans of medical schools, and 47% of the deans of dental schools, reported that their graduates were competent to treat patients with disabilities. However, majorities of dental/ medical school seniors and graduates expressed inadequate competency in the care of these patients. A majority of the directors of medical/dental residencies indicated a need for additional training for their residents. Conclusion There is need for increased didactic and clinical preparation of dental/medical school graduates in the care of individuals with special health needs. The interest expressed by health profession educators in an effort to develop appropriate curriculum modules provides an opportunity to prepare new graduates for the care of an increasing population of individuals with disabilities.

Importance-performance analysis: Revisiting a tool for the evaluation of clinical services

The importance-performance analysis method (IPA) is used in market research in order to measure the level of customer satisfaction. The aim of this study was to evaluate and highlight the use of IPA as a management tool to measure quality of dental services. We suggest that this method can be easily implemented in a dental educational setting, as a performance outcome measure that includes patient input. The study was conducted in a dental service through a valid questionnaire, SERVQUAL. This instrument explores levels of service quality perceived by patients. It was conducted in four companies in Brazil in 2011 (derived from different industry segments;two from textiles, one from hospital care and the other from the manufacturing industry) in two States (S?o Paulo and Minas Gerais). These companies were covered by the same dental managed care organization which contracted with independent dentists to provide care. The study was divided into two stages: the first, in which beneficiaries answered the questionnaire prior to receiving dental treatment, and the second when the same beneficiaries answered after completing their dental treatment. Data obtained from SERVQUAL generated graphs that were used to characterize the IPA matrix using several dimensions of care. The Assurance Dimension had the highest average in both expectation and perception. The Reliability dimension showed the value of the most negative GAP among the dimensions, and the best value occurred in the Responsiveness dimension. The IPA tool may be effective in Dental Medicine since it highlights the key points to be improved in the delivery of dental services in a clinical setting.