Abstract

MOODLEY, R; NAIDOO, S  and  VAN WYK, J. Applying the perceptions of graduates on their dental training to inform dental curricula from the perspective of occupational health. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.5, pp.343-347. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2018/v73no5a3.

INTRODUCTION: Dental education, one of the most stressful fields of study, is associated with many occupational health hazards. Clinical training is focussed on patient care and occurs under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, and is thus the most appropriate time to educate students about the prevention of occupational health problems. The study aimed to report on the reflections of dental graduates on their undergraduate training from the perspective of occupational health. METHODS: This cross sectional, descriptive study used both quantitative and qualitative methods in the collection of data from a study population comprising dentists, dental therapists and oral hygienists in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. RESULTS: The response rate was 41% (n=169), 80% (n=138) and 40% (n= 46) for dentists, dental therapists and oral hygienists respectively. There was little focus (77.7%) on health and well-being of students and self-care in their dental training. Clinical work had started in the first year for 30% of the participants, and in the third year for 54.4% of the students. Undergraduate training lacked modules on occupational health, practice/business management, posture training, ergonomics and stress management. CONCLUSION: The perceptions of this study population indicated a need for the inclusion of occupational health training in undergraduate dental curricula.

Keywords : dental education; self-care; occupational health; ergonomics.

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