title: Evaluation of a capacity building clinical educational model for oral health clinicians treating very young children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are significant levels of dental caries in Australian school-aged children, with children aged five years having a mean dmft of 1.3. It has also been identified that, in general, oral health clinicians lack confidence to treat very young children and this study aimed to increase capacity of public sector oral health clinicians to treat preschool children.
  
  
  METHODS
  An educational program was developed, implemented and evaluated for its capability to increase the confidence and knowledge of oral health clinicians and dental assistants in providing oral care for children aged 12 months to 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2011 and 2012, the course was delivered to 36 clinicians (22 dentists, 12 dental therapists, and two oral health therapists) and showed increases in their confidence and knowledge for participants when providing dental procedures to preschool children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The educational program that was developed and implemented has met its objective of increasing the knowledge and confidence of practicing oral health clinicians and dental assistants in the management of preschool children. Strategies to further enhance the outcomes of this educational program have been proposed.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: O'Halloran
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hopcraft
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Arnold-Smith
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Calache
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000193:education; D003479:Curriculum; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000193:education; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000193:education; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017145:Models, Educational; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017150:Public Sector; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012649:Self Concept; D014739:Victoria