Özet:

Background: Community-oriented medical education aims to educate physicians who can handle health problems of the community effectively. Dental diseases that are one of the major health problems of the community have been usually neglected in medical education programs. Dental health topics were targeted to be included in preventive medicine and Dental Health Education Program (DHEP) was developed for 3rd grade curriculum in Ege University Medical Faculty. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of DHEP. Methods: 93.8% (n:259) of the 3rd year students of 2007-2008 academic year were enrolled in the study. Difference among knowledge levels were evaluated by pre- and post-tests, whereas Likert Scale with 5 scores were used to evaluate the level of achievements in knowledge objectives for the medical students and their views on responsibility of the physicians over dental health. Results: There was a significant difference among total knowledge score that was 6.69±2.20 before the education and 15.34±0.83 after the program. There was a significant increase in scores that they gave to the defined responsibilities that they have on oral health and their views on the importance of the topic. The statement of ‘DHEP made me understand how to protect my oral health” was the education objective that recieved the highest score (4.69±0.51). Conclusions: DHEP has improved the awareness on importance of dental health and knowledge levels for medical students of Ege University in short term.

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