A Study on Dentists' Screening, Vaccination, and Management for Infectious Disease : Part I. Analysis and Suggestions for the Dental Educational Curriculum

To assess whether dental colleges provide education on effectively managing infectious diseases within the role of dentists as primary care providers for infectious diseases such as COVID-19, a total of 11 domestic dental colleges were examined. The aim was to evaluate whether their curricula included education on managing infectious diseases including severe postvaccination adverse reactions and the legal aspects pertinent to infectious diseases.Through the analysis of detailed items, eight categories were selected: Immunology, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Clinical Assessments and Procedures, Side Effects and Emergencies, Infection Control, and Health Care-related Laws. All 11 domestic dental colleges provided sufficient education in the four basic sciences of Immunology, Microbiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology, as well as training on Infection Control and Health Care-related Laws. However, the category of ‘Side Effects and Emergencies’ had the lowest implementation rate, at 80%. A coordinated effort to establish consensus on the required competencies for infectious disease management is needed. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the educational content related to ‘Side Effects and Emergencies’ is necessary.