title: Integration of ultrasound imaging into pre-clinical dental education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients have complex healthcare needs and typically require more than one healthcare discipline to address issues regarding their health. Interprofessional teams of healthcare professionals may be able to address these complex needs and improve patient outcomes by combining resources. To evaluate the feasibility of integrating ultrasound into a dental school curriculum to teach anatomy as part of an interprofessional education experience, the current study surveyed first-year dental students to determine their perceptions of the integration of ultrasound techniques into the curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound laboratory exercises were developed for first-year dental students as part of their anatomy course. The exercises were focused on head, neck and abdominal anatomy. To assess student perception of the integration of ultrasound into the dental curriculum, a survey was created specifically for the current study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2013 and 2015, two classes of first-year dental students participated in the ultrasound laboratory exercise and completed the survey (n = 83). Student survey responses suggested ultrasound was a valuable teaching tool because it allowed them to visualise anatomical structures using live imaging. They also agreed that the ultrasound laboratory exercises were an efficient learning tool, but the majority did not believe that they would use ultrasound regularly in their future practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the current study suggested first-year dental students were satisfied with the integration of ultrasound techniques into the dental curriculum. Survey results indicated that the students enjoyed the ultrasound laboratory exercise and felt ultrasound was an effective learning tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Community Health, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondrashova
authors.affiliation: Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Wan
authors.affiliation: Academic Affairs, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, USA.
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Briones
authors.affiliation: Anatomy Department, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kondrashov
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D057566:Self Report; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000193:education*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: anatomy; dentistry; interprofessional communication; ultrasonography