The Effects of Simulation‐Based Interprofessional Education on Oncology Oral Care Competencies Among Dental and Dental Hygiene Students

INTRODUCTION: This study applied simulation-based interprofessional education (IPE) principles to develop an oncology oral care scenario, with the aim of evaluating the intervention's effects on the IPE core competencies of dental and dental hygiene students before their clinical internships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight fifth-year dental and 29 third-year dental hygiene students participated in a 30 min simulation involving a simulated patient portraying a patient with breast cancer. Mixed teams of dental and dental hygiene students provided oral care to the patient, who was experiencing chewing pain while wearing dentures during chemotherapy. Before and after the intervention, students completed a questionnaire assessing four IPE core competencies. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyse changes over time. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed across all four IPE domains following the intervention for both groups. A significant main effect of time was observed for both dental and dental hygiene students. Large effect sizes were found in the domains of roles and responsibilities (Dental: 2.05; Dental Hygiene: 1.75) and teams and teamwork (Dental: 2.08; Dental Hygiene: 1.37), with additional significant improvements observed in values and ethics and communication. No significant interaction effects between groups were identified across any domains. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that simulation-based IPE activities have the potential to enhance interprofessional collaboration skills and strengthen dental and dental hygiene students' understanding of their roles within interprofessional teams. CONCLUSION: Situational simulation-based courses showed potential for enhancing students' self-perceived interprofessional competencies by targeting attitudinal and behavioural domains.