Teaching and Learning Regarding the Dentist-Pediatric Patient Relationship: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the perceptions of dental students on the learning process regarding the dentist-pediatric patient relationship. Material and Methods: A qualitative study with an exploratory approach was conducted involving semistructured interviews with sixteen dental undergraduate students randomly selected from the thirty-two students in the last semester of the dentistry course. The transcribed interviews were submitted to content analysis. Results: The sample was composed of nine female (56.3%) and seven male (43.7%) students (median age 23 years). The factors perceived as most influential with regard to learning the dentistpediatric patient relationship were observations of professors, other dentists or colleagues and the regular practice of dental procedures. While half of the participants considered lectures on the subject satisfactory, the other half reported a need for more instruction on how to deal with specific clinical situations. Most of the participants would like to have learned more about the dentist-pediatric patient relationship. Conclusion: The majority of students recognized that the teaching and learning process regarding the dentist-pediatric patient relationship is not easy. They reported having little counseling on the how to develop this relationship. The students suggested that the dentist-patient relationship should be addressed more during the course through the inclusion of lectures or classes on this issue as well as the demonstration of specific clinical situations.