Identifying Gaps in Predoctoral Craniofacial Education
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: It is essential that dental school graduates are adequately prepared to provide care to patients with craniofacial differences (PCD). This study aimed to identify potential educational deficiencies in predoctoral dental school curricula regarding the management of PCD. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to predoctoral dental students across the United States. The 20-item questionnaire assessed students’ educational experiences, clinical encounters, and perceived knowledge and confidence in managing PCD. Results: The most taught didactic topic was diagnostic characteristics of craniofacial differences (77.1%), followed by psychosocial challenges (43.0%) and treatment/referral (36.3%). Respondents reported low levels of understanding and confidence in managing craniofacial conditions, with the lowest confidence in providing surgical treatment (30.1 ± 27.9) and the highest in referrals and communication (41.7 ± 30.1, on a 0–100 scale). Logistic regression showed that overall understanding was a significant predictor of confidence, increasing odds by 8% (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.05, 1.12). Participants noted that hands-on clinical experience would most improve their confidence in managing PCD. Conclusions: Predoctoral dental students exhibit low confidence and understanding in managing PCD. Incorporating more targeted craniofacial education, particularly hands-on clinical experience, into the curriculum is essential to better prepare dental graduates for craniofacial care.
Source: UNC Libraries
DOI: 10.17615/pd7z-kj70
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: James S. McDonnell Foundation, American Philosophical Society, National Geographic Society, Rust Family Foundation, British Heart Foundation, Indian Council of Medical Research, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia dos Hymenoptera Parasitóides da Região Sudeste Brasileira, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
OpenAlex ID: W7203867743