Can a four-hour interactive workshop on the management of dental emergencies be effective in improving self reported levels of clinician proficiency?

Background: Management of dental emergencies is a clinical problem facing many primary care providers who have often received little training in this area. Aim: This study evaluated the impact of a four-hour interactive workshop on clinicians' self reported proficiency in managing common dental emergencies. Method: A descriptive study design using a questionnaire type survey instrument was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief interactive workshop. Results: The workshop positively impacted proficiency, especially in oral local anaesthesia, management of avulsed teeth and dental trauma. Open comments from participants focused on the lack of dental topics in professional training. Recommendations: Further education is required in the management of dental emergencies such as odontogenic infections, dental local anaesthesia, trauma, intra-oral haemorrhage and in dental nomenclature. Conclusions: An effective interactive workshop intervention employing blended instructional techniques may help improve the management of dental emergencies and patient outcomes.