Improving Dental Hygiene Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence Toward Prenatal Oral Health Through Experiential Learning: A pilot study

Abstract

Purpose Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for maternal health as well as the health of their child. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine dental hygiene (DH) students’ knowledge of prenatal oral health before and after receiving an asynchronous prenatal oral health care training (POHCT), and their attitudes and self-perceived confidence before and after receiving an experiential learning opportunity with a pregnant and/or post-partum client at a Women’s Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC) clinic.

Methods A one-group pre/post-test design was used. This IRB-approved study (#2027439-4) utilized a convenience sample of DH student participants (n=37) in their final year of a baccalaureate program at a public institution located in the southeastern United States. The POHCT program and pre/post surveys were completed in a learning management system. During the WIC rotation, participants assessed the presence of a dental home and oral health needs of the client. The validated Prenatal Oral Health Surveys 2015 and 2016:v0/v2, respectively, were used to measure knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and willingness related to practices for pregnant patients; additionally, demographic and program experience questions were included. Some statements were adapted to align with the POHCT and WIC rotation utilized in this study. All the statistical analyses were performed in the R statistical software and p≤0.05 was set for significance.

Results A total of 34 participants (91.9%) completed the POHCT program and pre/post. In general, participants gained knowledge and confidence from the POHCT and WIC rotation. Overall, confidence in discussing proper infant feeding practices increased post-training (p<0.001) and there was a marginal increase in knowledge about fluoride safety during pregnancy (p=0.06) but was not statistically significant. Participants reported that the POHCT and WIC rotation were valuable to their clinical education and would recommend continuing the experience for future DH students.

Conclusion The POHCT and WIC rotation was successful in improving DH students’ knowledge of pregnancy-related oral health topics and provided them with the opportunity and experience to practice learned skills.