title: Description and evaluation of an education and communication skills training course in HIV and AIDS for dental consultants.
abstract: A 2-day course was organised for dental hospital consultants as part of a project on raising awareness of dental staff about HIV and AIDS. The course comprised an information update, practical experience in the diagnosis of oral conditions and a "hands-on" exercise in infection control. The 2nd day of the course consisted of experiential communication skills training using rôle-play with actors and video feedback. Evaluation of the course showed that the consultants perceived the course to be valuable. There was a general improvement in dentists' confidence in their knowledge, ability to communicate with HIV-positive patients and in talking to staff who are unwilling to provide treatment. These changes are statistically significant and these skills are still being utilized and maintained 2 years later. Information and training packs prepared by multidisciplinary groups using a variety of teaching methods should be made available to those involved in training dental staff.
authors.affiliation: Dorset Healthcare Community Dental Service, Poole, Dorset BH17 90W, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brain
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cushing
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zakrzewska
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003253:Consultants; D003479:Curriculum; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires