title: Designing an oral health module for the Bachelor of Midwifery program at an Australian University.
abstract: Maternal oral health is important yet many pregnant women are unaware of its significance. Midwives are advised to promote oral health during pregnancy and are supported to do this in Australia through the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health training program. However, limited undergraduate education is being provided to midwifery students in this area. The objective of this paper is to describe how an innovative oral health education module for an undergraduate midwifery course in Australia was designed using a multidisciplinary approach. Midwives experienced in curriculum development and key investigators from the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health program designed the module using existing literature. Constructive alignment, blended learning and scaffolding were used in the design process. The draft module was then reviewed by midwifery academics and their feedback incorporated. The final module involves 4 h of teaching and learning and contains three components incorporated into first year course units. Each component is aligned with existing learning outcomes and incorporates blended learning approaches and tutorials/class activities as well as online quizzes and personal reflection. The module details key information (current evidence; basic anatomy/physiology; common oral conditions; and guidelines during pregnancy) that could better prepare students to promote oral health in clinical practice. This is the first time such an innovative, multidisciplinary approach has been undertaken embedding oral health in an undergraduate midwifery program in Australia.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Hannah G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Dahlen
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Priddis
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2150, Australia.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.affiliation: Collaboration for Oral Health Outcomes, Research Translation and Evaluation (COHORTE) Research Group, Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Ingham Institute Applied Medical Research, University of Sydney, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia. Electronic address: ajesh.george@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Ajesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D014495:Universities
keywords: Curriculum; Highlights; Midwifery; Oral health; Pregnancy