Fluoridation Chairside Training Course Evaluation Results

On Friday, August 8 in Newburgh, NY and Saturday, August 9 in Rochester, NY nearly 70 registered dental hygienists took part in the Chair-Side Guide: Community Water Fluoridation training. Instructors for the morning long training were Matt Jacob from the Children’s Dental Health Project in Washington, DC and Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS, associate professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Orange County Community college in Middletown, NY, also an experienced and successful advocate for community water fluoridation in New York State. 

While the goals for the days were to review recommendations for fluoride use, review the evidence basis behind fluorides, and strengthen hygienists’ abilities to have effective conversations with patients about fluoride and community water fluoridation, the most successful lessons were picked up in the communication with participants, with one another and the instructors. The trainings became a collaborative learning process, with participants sharing hands on experiences of patients’ views and questions regarding fluoride.

Besides the engaging conversation between the instructors and participants, the days were highlighted with small group discussions and role-play activities. Margaret Gonzales, RDH, of Rockland County that attended the Newburgh training stated, “I thought this was, by far, the best CE course I have taken to date.” Sentiments were similar from Rochester participant Carolyn Marlin, RDH, of Monroe County, “One of the best CE courses I have attended!” Tracy Marsh, RDH, of Monroe County, added of the course, “I usually don’t like group activities, but I found these activities very productive.”

The message, old to some and new to others, was clear: registered dental hygienists are on the forefront of patient education and have the ability to inform patients of the benefit of fluoride and community water fluoridation before the opposition strikes and the rate of fear and disbelief raises any higher and takes the rate of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) with it.

 

Course Evaluation Form: Chair-Side Guide Training (Newburgh)
Friday, August 8, 2014

		Poor	Fair	Satisfactory	Very Good	Excellent
Contribution to learning:
Level of knowledge at the start of the course			1	10	8	8
Level of knowledge at the end of the course					5	22
Skill of the instructor:
Instructor’s Effectiveness	Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS				1	26
	Matt Jacob				1	26
Clarity and organization of the instructor’s presentation	Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS				1	26
	Matt Jacob				1	25
The Course Overall:
Clarity and organization of the training					1	26
Overall quality of the course					1	26
Would you recommend this course to others?		Yes 23	No
Level of comfort speaking to patients’ regarding community water fluoridation before the course			3	6	5	13
Level of comfort speaking to patents’ regarding community water fluoridation now					7	20

 

What suggestions would you make for improving this course?

1. I thought this was, by far, the best CE course I have taken to date.
2. I loved it! Have many more!
3. None.
4. Loved it!
5. It was excellent! Not much to improve upon.
6. (PRO) Start working on the Fluoridation website in Spanish J.

 

Course Evaluation Form: Chair-Side Guide Training (Rochester)
Saturday, August 9, 2014

 

		Poor	Fair	Satisfactory	Very Good	Excellent
Contribution to learning:
Level of knowledge at the start of the course			1	6	9	16
Level of knowledge at the end of the course					1	31
Skill of the instructor:
Instructor’s Effectiveness	Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS				1	31
	Matt Jacob				1	31
Clarity and organization of the instructor’s presentation	Meg Atwood, RDH, MPS					32
	Matt Jacob					32
The Course Overall:
Clarity and organization of the training					2	30
Overall quality of the course					1	31
Would you recommend this course to others?		Yes 27	No
Level of comfort speaking to patients’ regarding community water fluoridation before the course			1	8	5	18
Level of comfort speaking to patents’ regarding community water fluoridation now					2	30

 

What suggestions would you make for improving this course?

1. One of the best CEU courses I have attended!
2. Excellent! Open it up to a large population to attend. Would love to be more involved.
3. Both speakers were very well educated on the topic and made the course interesting. I usually don’t like group activities, but found these activities very productive.
4. Give the course again at another date- to open up to more dental hygienists. Get the message out to the community.
5. The exercises kept everyone engaged. It was well arranged. Level was a little basic for the audience.
6. No change J
7. None; very informative!
8. It was great!
9. That was great!
10. Great intimate room. Slightly cold temp. Great email access and patient website locations.
11. End on time J
12. Provide slide handout earlier so we can add your education to them. Incorporate key information imparted by the last two women who spoke earlier into the presentation. People had to leave and attention span diminishes J.