A novel clinical interprofessional education experience between pharmacy and dental students in an advanced geriatric surgical dental clinic

Abstract Introduction To address the opioid crisis in the United States, guidelines have prioritized non‐opioid therapies (i.e., non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen), for postoperative dental pain. Complex cases may necessitate alternative analgesics, requiring careful pharmacotherapy management. Integrating pharmacists into dental care teams can optimize pain management and patient outcomes. This study evaluated a clinical interprofessional education (IPE) experience involving pharmacy and dental students in a geriatric oral surgery clinic. The objectives were to enhance students' knowledge and skills in managing postoperative pain and evaluate interprofessional behaviors within a clinical learning environment. Methods From 2020 to 2022, third‐year pharmacy and dental students collaborated weekly in a geriatric oral surgery clinic which provided advanced dental procedures. Before clinic integration, students underwent a comprehensive orientation, including an IPE overview and profession‐specific student‐led trainings. Students collaboratively developed management plans integrating surgical and pharmacologic interventions. The Individual Teamwork Observation and Feedback Tool (iTOFT) was used to assess pharmacy student interactions. Pre‐ and post‐assessments evaluated students' pain management knowledge. A debriefing survey captured students' perceptions of pharmacy‐dental clinical collaborations. Results Fifteen pharmacy and 33 dental students participated. iTOFT evaluations for pharmacy students highlighted strengths in shared decision‐making and patient‐centered care but revealed opportunities for improved team collaboration. Pharmacy students showed significant improvement in pain management knowledge (56.3% to 75%, p = 0.0137), while dental students' knowledge remained unchanged. Debriefing surveys revealed overwhelming positive perceptions, with 97.9% of participants reporting improved understanding of roles, mutual respect, and enhanced teamwork. Students expressed greater confidence in interprofessional collaboration, emphasizing the experience's value despite occasional role ambiguity. Conclusion This deliberate, clinical IPE experience demonstrated significant benefits, including improved knowledge of pain management and positive attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration. Expanding similar initiatives can foster collaborative skills, fostering a comprehensive, interprofessional approach to patient care and addressing complex health care needs across diverse practice settings.