Clinical and educational effects of a new interprofessional program for dental students and dental hygiene students in practical clinical training

Abstract

: [Introduction] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed Interprofessional Education (IPE) program in clinical practicum for dental and dental hygiene students. [Materials and methods] Dental and dental hygiene students cooperatively provided periodontal treatment to selected patients. The treatment consisted of a total of two to three sessions in addition to pre-treatment discussions with supervisors, student meetings for information sharing and treatment plan-ning, and self- and peer reflections and assessments of the performance. [Results] A total of 44 patients were admitted to this program in 2016. Clinically, the mean OʼLeary plaque control record score decreased significantly after the dental hygiene students provided instruc-tions on the oral hygiene. Based on the results of the self- and peer assessments and assessment of the performances on the web-based assignments, we demonstrated significant progression in IPE competencies throughout the practice. Furthermore, 95% of the dental students and 85% of the dental hygiene students gave a positive valuation of this program. Our program improved but interprofessional col-laboration, and