Key Points
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Provides a model for delivery of infection prevention and control education for dental undergraduates.
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Outlines assessment of the first cohort of undergraduates to use the pilot model of infection prevention education.
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Provides learning outcomes for infection prevention and education for dental undergraduates.
Abstract
Objective Evaluate the views of undergraduate dental students on a pilot web-based e-learning programme to establish its merit in providing education in infection prevention and control. The initiative was commissioned by NHS Education for Scotland as an educational resource for healthcare workers.
Design, sample and setting This was a retrospective analysis of questionnaire data from the first cohort of dental students completing the programme in a UK dental school.
Methods Dental students studied the course during the first three years of the curriculum. Data were collated via an anonymous semi-structured questionnaire distributed at a post-course feedback session.
Results Sixty percent (51/85) of students returned questionnaires with 90% stating their knowledge of infection control had improved. Specific areas included: undertaking infection control audits (88%), managing sharps injuries (73%), use of personal protective equipment (55%) and hand hygiene (55%). On the other hand, 72% perceived the programme as too generic with just over half advocating a resource more relevant to dentistry.
Conclusion The programme has the potential to be a useful teaching aid but requires modification. A customised version for dental students has subsequently been commissioned.
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Acknowledgements
This initiative would not have succeeded without the 'volunteering' of the mentors: Jeremy Bagg, John Boyes, Margaret Brown, Ben Cooke, Kirsty Ferguson, Kate Hamilton, Saranaz Jamdar, Nitish Khanna, David Lappin, Mairi MacLeod, Jackie McIntyre, Sandra McNamee, Libby Patterson, Gordon Ramage, Jackie Stewart, Bishan Thakker and Pauline Wright. We also wish to thank Laetitia Brocklebank for initial discussions, NHS Education for Scotland, The Knowledge Business, the University of Glasgow and dental students who participated in the pilot study.
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Lockhart, D., Smith, A. An evaluation of a pilot study of a web-based educational initiative for educating and training undergraduate dental students in infection prevention. Br Dent J 207, 223–226 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.765
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.765
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