The document discusses the role of psychology in dentistry. It notes that dental students are bright and motivated but have different learning styles than memorization. It also discusses the importance of psychology skills like communication, managing anxiety and pain, and working with special patient populations. The challenges are that dental curricula are technique focused and psychology is not always seen as practical. Potential solutions involve more collaborative relationships between dentistry and psychology to shift to a systems-based, integrated curriculum focused on the whole patient.

1. Psychology in Dentistry Alan G. Glaros, Ph.D. Associate Dean Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

2. The Learners I Enrolled in over 50 schools About 4,400 graduates/year 42% female 12% underrepresented minority Bright, motivated, enthusiastic 3.35 science GPA Weaver et al., 2005

3. The Learners II Good at memorization Different motivations Good visuo-spatial skills Tech savvy? Mandatory laptop programs in about 25% of dental schools On-line database searching relatively rare Hendricson et al., 2006; Romanov & Aarnio, 2006

4. Required Training Nationwide training Cultural competency UMKC School of Dentistry Discipline-based courses Patient interviewing and management Henzi et al., 2007

5. Dentistry and Health Consistent brushing and flossing and routine dental hygiene critical to maintenance of oral health Psychology as the science of behavior

6. Psychology and Dentistry Communications skills and rapport building Dental fears Eitner et al., 2006Lahti et al., 2007

7. Psychology and Dentistry Pain Acute Chronic Temporomandibular disorders Neuralgias Oral parafunctional behaviors Clenching Grinding (“bruxism”) Drangsholt & LeResche, 1999; Glaros et al., 2005

8. Psychology and Dentistry Special needs populations Mentally challenged Chronically ill Geriatrics Public health Community interventions John et al., 2007

9. Psychology and Dentistry Quality of life Craniofacial abnormalities Edentualism Esthetic dentistry Orthodontics Crowns, veneers Reconstruction Gordon et al., 2004; Lee et al., 2007

10. Psychology Skills Useful for Dental Students Communication Fear/anxiety management Management of disruptive child Patient interventions to enhance self-care Motivational interviewing Pain management

11. Psychology Skills for Dental Educators Learning how to use handpiece Proprioception Visual learning Diaz et al., 2001; Wierinck et al., 2006

12. Challenges With Dental Students Curriculum very technique-oriented Does not foster cognitive skills Psychology not seen as “scientific” or practical enough

13. Institutional Challenges Off-site psychologists Less attuned to issues faced by dental students Curricular time

14. Potential Solutions Collaborative relationships essential “Teach the Teacher” Observational modeling

15. Preparing for the Future Systems-based curriculum Multi-disciplinary Integrated Comprehensive Focus on the whole person Willsie, 2004

16. Role for APA Encourage shift to systems-based curriculum Advocate for research funding Educational research Visual learning Liaison to ADEA Remember dentistry