A multi-centre early evaluation of the effectiveness of workshop teaching to improve the confidence of UK and Irish dental students when addressing patient mental health.

Background Dental practitioners can have low confidence when addressing patient mental health as part of wider patient management. This is increasingly relevant due to the rising prevalence of mental health conditions and the relationship that can exist between mental and oral health. Interactive workshop teaching on patient mental health may enhance the confidence of dental students when addressing mental health conditions in patients.

How confidently do students address patients with psychiatric conditions in the dental clinic? A service evaluation in a UK dental school.

Background Extensive literature covers the relationship between psychiatric and dental health, but little research explores the ability of dental practitioners to confidently address patient mental health. This paper explored self-reported confidence of dental students when addressing patient mental health in a university setting.Methods Mixed-method approach involving a quantitative scenario-based survey and focus groups.