People with dental problems may present to GPs because they cannot access or
afford a dentist. This is exacerbated in rural areas, by the workforce
shortage. However, GPs often lack specific education in the underlying
pathobiology of dental infections, undermining diagnosis, management, prevention
and referral.
This is addressed in this 4.5 hr online course with 3 hr of didactic
Educational Activity and 1.5 hr of Reviewing Performance Activity relating
didactic content to clinical practice. A solid understanding of the
scientific basis for: diagnosis; management; and prevention of all common dental
infections is achieved.Additional aspects relate to: impact on systemic
disorders; effects of dry mouth and anti-resorptive medications; maxillary
sinusitis; early childhood caries; and antibiotic stewardship.
Course Contents Are:
- Streamed lecture of (1 hr 15 min)
- Detailed written notes (Estimated Reading Time 45 min)
- Quizzes with detailed explanations for self-assessment and to reinforce
learning (Estimated 1 hr activity)
- Reviewing Practice activity relating didactic content to clinical practice
(1 hr 30 min)
-Describe the natural history together with the anatomical and pathological basis for common dental infections including: caries; periapical infections; dental abscesses and cellulitis; gingivitis; acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis; pericoronitis; alveolar osteitis; and medication related osteonecrosis of the jaws
-Select a sensible preferred diagnosis from a list of differential diagnoses
for dental infection, based on the main clinical signs and the history given
-Describe and identify appropriate management for dental
infections
-Describe where it is appropriate to prescribe
antibiotics for dental infection
-Review performance in the diagnosis and management of dental
infections
One of the reviewing performance activities comprises completion of an on-line quiz, first before the didactic content is encountered as a base-line of current clinical decision making, and then after the didactic content is done. Detailed explanations for answers is given after the second quiz. As such, this is not an assessment, but does provide basis for systematic reflection on clinical decision making, by comparing initial responses with responses informed by the didactic content, and by further comparison of quiz responses with the detailed explanations given.
In addition, there are four separate self-assessment
quizzes of didactic content, where detailed explanations are given for correct
answers, and where quizzes must be repeated till a result of at least 60% is
achieved. Each quiz addresses one of the main themes of the didactic
content, being: Normal structure and function; caries; pulp and periapical
infections; and gingival and periodontal infections. These quizzes
are not intended as summative assessments, but serve as formative exercises to
reinforce and build confidence in the learning content.