Jane Evans

Interprofessional learning enhances knowledge of roles but is less able to shift attitudes: a case study from dental education

INTRODUCTION Interprofessional education (IPE) purports to improve team working through improved knowledge of the roles of others, and by engendering mutual respect. This case study aimed to determine the impact of an IPE curriculum on knowledge and attitudes of dentistry and dental technology students undertaking these curricula in the new School of Dentistry and Oral Health at Griffith University. All dental technology students and third- and final- (fifth) year dentistry students were invited to participate. METHOD A mixed-method approach was used to compare attitudes, perceptions and experiences of students involved in our IPE curricula. Quantitative data were evaluated with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and qualitative findings were explored through an Excel(®) spreadsheet coding frame tested against Leximancer™ qualitative software for consistency. RESULTS Forty-six of the 131 eligible students participated. Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scales (RIPLS) and focus groups consistently showed that IPE positively influenced professional identity and improved communication between and amongst all students and assisted them in developing their roles. A prevailing sense of greater importance and a lack of mutual respect between dentistry and dental technology students were, unfortunately, evident. The process was, however, sufficient to enhance teamwork and collaboration when planned learning revolved around explicit patient care in the provision of dental prostheses. CONCLUSION Further development of such curricula is needed to maximise IP learning (IPL) opportunities, to shift traditional attitudes and, potentially, to improve the outcomes of patient care. To enable this, academic and clinical leaders need to embrace the ideals of IPE.

Dental care provision by students on a remote rural clinical placement

Background: In 2009, the School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University, commenced a clinical placement in a remote rural and Indigenous community in Australia. This paper analyses the type of treatment services provided from 2009 to 2011 by year, type of patient and age of patient.

Exploring the consistency, transparency and portability of dental technology education: benchmarking across Norway, Ireland and Australia.

Dental technology programmes of study must prepare students to practice in a broad range of contemporary workplaces. Currently, there is limited evidence to benchmark dental technology education - locally, nationally or internationally. This research aims to improve consistency, transparency and portability of dental technology qualifications across three countries. Data were accessed from open-source curriculum documents and five calibrated assessment items. Three institutions collaborated with Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; and Griffith University, Australia. From these, 29-44 students completed 174 assessments. The curricula reflect the community needs of each country and display common themes that underpin professional dental technology practice. Assessment results differed between institutions but no more than a normal distribution. Face-to-face assessment moderation was critical to achieve consistency. This collaborative research has led to the development of a set of guidelines for other dental technology education providers interested in developing or aligning courses internationally to enhance the portability of qualifications.

Clinical Relevance of Laser-Sintered Co-Cr Alloys for Prosthodontic Treatments: A Review

The acceptance of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technique in dentistry depends on the clinical evidence and performance. There is an increased interest in laser-sintered cobaltchromium (Co-Cr) alloys as it is reported to have advantages over conventional cast Co-Cr alloys. Laser sintering is a complex thermo-physical process that can vary the final product, which is dependent on alloying constituents, laser beam, accuracy of scanners and building machines and the parameters of the controlled environment. This review looks at all relevant publications over the last 10 years on in-vitro mechanical and biocompatibility properties used to verify the suitability of intraoral laser-sintered Co-Cr alloys. For the purpose of this review the term laser sintering also refers to laser melting technologies. The review notes that although there has been considerable progress with laser-sintered Co-Cr alloys, there is still a gap in knowledge and hence, further studies need to be undertaken to ascertain their suitability and provide recommendations.