87 - Evaluation of a Community-inspired Interprofessional Oral Health Education Curriculum

Abstract: Objectives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an online two-session infant oral health education program for trainees in social work, nursing, medicine, and dentistry. Additionally, trainees were assessed on anticipated changes to their practice related to children’s oral health. Methods. This cross-sectional study, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluated trainees’ experiences using a self-reported, mixed-methods survey after two online infant oral health training sessions. During the first interprofessional session, trainees received a lecture on infant oral health, and then discussed a case study in interprofessional groups to reinforce the content. Trainees in medicine and nursing completed training to receive Medicaid reimbursement for performing preventive oral health services. The second training session was discipline-specific and provided tailored instructions, videos, and demonstrations on fluoride varnish application and incorporating oral health into future practice. Results. Of the 78 trainees (22 social work, 4 pediatric nurse practitioner, 38 pediatric medicine residents, and 14 pediatric dentistry residents), 91% (n=70) reported that they were introduced to at least one new health information resource or tool. Four-fifths of the eligible trainees (n=16/20, 80%) who completed the evaluation had fulfilled the State’s requirements to receive Medicaid reimbursement for performing preventive oral health services. Three-fourths of trainees (n=22/29, 75%) reported that they are likely to promote children’s oral health in future clinical practice. Trainees from all four disciplines provided positive feedback on the training. Conclusions. Online interprofessional education on infant-toddler oral health to trainees in dentistry, medicine, nursing, and social work during the COVID-19 pandemic was acceptable and effective.

Source of Funding: This study is supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012342 with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Affiliations: The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work