Strategy for teaching communication skills in dentistry

Abstract

AIM: To develop and evaluate a teaching strategy for teaching communication skills in dentistry. METHODOLOGY: 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. SUBJECTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.