Changes of students’ understanding in the systemic improvement by dental treatment after undergraduate clinical training in Japan

Abstract Background: Undergraduate clinical training is a useful program for dental students to learn clinical skills. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dental students who had undergone clinical training understood the clinical significance of dental treatment and its connection to systemic health.Methods: An awareness survey was conducted in dentistry students both before and after undergraduate clinical training. A total of 42 dental students were recruited before clinical training, and 32 dental students responded to the survey. In addition, all of the 42 dental students responded to the survey after clinical training. A total of 53 medical students were recruited as control subjects. Differences between the 2 groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results: Before clinical training, the percentage of dental students who recognized that periodontal treatment has positive effects on systemic diseases was higher than that of the control. After clinical training, a higher percentage of dental students recognized the positive effects of periodontal treatment on systemic health. A higher percentage of dental students before clinical training recognized the positive effects of prosthetic treatment on geriatric conditions; however, after clinical training no significant differences were found between the dental students and the control when surveyed about the positive effects of periodontal and prosthetic treatment on geriatric conditions.Conclusion: Undergraduate clinical training is useful for improving the students’ understanding of the clinical significance of dental treatment. The results of these surveys suggest that dental education supported by experience contributes to an appreciation of the role of dental treatment.