292 - Evaluating Medical Students' Oral Health Screening Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes

Abstract:

Purpose: Score 1 for Health is a program providing free health screenings and education to local elementary school children. With the opening of Kansas City University’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM), the program introduced interprofessional collaboration between medical and dental students on the Joplin campus. This study evaluated KCU Joplin medical students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes about performing oral health screenings. Medical students were assessed before and after didactic training by CDM faculty, and before and after participating in an experiential oral health screening rotation. Findings aim to support ongoing development of interprofessional education initiatives between the medical and dental programs.

Methods: Second-year medical students received didactic training for the oral health screening component of Score 1 for Health program. Participants completed pre- and post-training surveys. After 1.5 weeks, students completed a second set of pre- and post-surveys for the experiential Score 1 screening event.

Results: Following the didactic and experiential sessions, more than half of respondents reported feeling somewhat or extremely confident in their oral health knowledge. Knowledge outcomes were mixed: one treatment-urgency question showed significant improvement (37% to 70% correct, P< .05), while another declined (76% to 50% correct, P< .05). Qualitative feedback supported additional training, more hands-on experiences, and greater integration of oral health content into the medical curriculum.

Conclusions: Although confidence improved, inconsistent knowledge gains demonstrated enhanced oral health training and clearer guidance on treatment urgency and caries assessment are needed. Students would benefit from expanded hands-on practice and increased collaboration with CDM faculty and students.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by HRSA D8545703.