Brazilian Oral Research (Dec 2023)

Core Cariology Curriculum Framework in Spanish for Latin American dental schools: development and consensus

  • Stefania MARTIGNON,
  • Andrea CORTES,
  • Viviana AVILA,
  • Karina VELASCO,
  • Ninoska ABREU-PLACERES,
  • Vicente ARANGUIZ,
  • Miriam BULLEN,
  • Rodrigo GIACAMAN,
  • Zilson MALHEIROS,
  • Amaury POZOS-GUILLÉN,
  • Fabio SAMPAIO,
  • Constanza Ella FERNÁNDEZ,
  • Mauricio GARCÍA,
  • Mónica GONZÁLEZ-MONTERO,
  • Sylvia GUDIÑO-FERNANDEZ,
  • Fernando Neves HUGO,
  • María Isabel PARDO-SILVA,
  • Lupe SALAZAR,
  • Aldo SQUASSI,
  • Olga Lucía ZARTA,
  • Bernal STEWART,
  • Sofía JÁCOME-LIÉVANO

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2023.vol37.0119
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. suppl 1

Abstract

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Abstract The aim of this study was to develop and achieve consensus on a cariology teaching framework for dental schools in Latin American Spanish-speaking countries. The Delphi process, with a ≥8 0% pre-defined participants’ agreement, included three phases and a Coordinating Group. During the Preparation phase three panels of experts were selected and invited to participate: a) Regional academic/professional Dental Associations (Associations-Panel): n = 12; b) Regional Dental Schools (Dental-Schools-Panel): existing dental schools (n = 263) from the 19 Spanish-speaking regional countries; c) International academic/professional associations Peer Experts (Peer-Panel): n = 4. Based on consensus documents from Europe, Colombia, the Caribbean, USA, Chile and Spain, and updated scientific evidence, the Coordinating Group developed a baseline framework proposal of domains, main competencies (MC) and specific competencies (SC). The Consultation-Agreement and Consensus phases included three rounds of questionnaires with a step-wise sharing of the MC updated version of the consensus framework with the Dental-Schools-Panel and including SC with the Associations-Panel. Diverse communication strategies were used ( e.g ., independent google-form questionnaires and workshops). Consensus was reached after an on-site Associations-Panel workshop and secret voting, followed by an online meeting with the Peers-Panel. A total of 127 academic/professional institutions participated (Associations-Panel: 11, 91.6%; Dental-Schools-Panel: 112, 42.6%, all countries; Peers-Panel: 4, 100%). The baseline Cariology teaching framework of 5 domains, 10 MC and 92 SC underwent modifications after agreements for a final consensus framework consisting of 5 domains, 10 MC and 85 SC. A Core Cariology curriculum framework in Spanish for Latin American Dental Schools was successfully developed and agreed upon with regional dental academic and professional institutions.

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