Strategy for teaching communication skills in dentistry.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate a teaching strategy for teaching communication skills in dentistry.


METHODS
Phase I: Development and implementation of a course in communication skills. Phase II: Implementation of a teaching strategy by means of an experiential learning strategy complemented by a didactic teaching strategy.


METHODS
Third year dental students (n = 67). The instruments included the following: (i) Study guide; (ii) Case study; (iii) Assessment rubric; (iv) Two questionnaires: "Patient's and "Dentist's feedback; (v) Standardised patient.


RESULTS
The class as a whole scored significantly higher after training compared to before training (p < 0.0001). Both male and female students rated the value, appropriateness and effectiveness of the teaching strategy employed during the study, rather highly (4.18 and 4.26 on a five-point Likert scale, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The teaching strategy employed for teaching third year dental students communication skills, proved to be effective and was perceived by the students as a valuable and appropriate strategy.
White
J G
JG
Department of Dental Management Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria. George.White@up.ac.za
D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult