Citation

Al-Dabaan R, Asimakopoulou K, Newton JT. Eur. J. Dent. Educ. 2015; 20(1): 45-54.

Affiliation

Paediatric Dentistry Division, Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, King Saud University College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Unit of Social & Behavioural Sciences, King's College London Dental Institute, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/eje.12141

PMID

25655568

Abstract

AIM: Safeguarding children is an integral part of dental training and practice. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a web-based training program in child protection on dental practitioners' knowledge and practice in Saudi Arabia. In addition, participants' views of the course were also assessed.

METHOD: Pre-, immediately post-training, and one month post-training knowledge and self reported behaviour were assessed following completion of an online training course in child protection by 82 dental practitioners working in Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS: Eighty-two participants completed the whole training package and 62 completed the one month post-training survey. A significant increase in knowledge was found immediately after taking part in the child protection training program in comparison to baseline knowledge (P < 0.001). The course was highly rated by those who completed it. At one month following the training program, 21% have or intend to adopt a child protection policy in their practice, 29% identified a staff member to lead on child protection since completing the program, almost all participants have been aware of child abuse and neglect (CAN) signs in their daily practice and 27.4% have made a report of a suspected case of CAN in the last month since the training.

CONCLUSION: The web-based training program in child protection was appraised positively and was effective in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes towards safeguarding children.

Language: en