Cultural competence of Australian dental students

Abstract Background Australia possesses a highly multicultural demographic, and thus dental practitioners are likely to regularly encounter culturally linguistically diverse individuals. It is important for be competent, however, cultural competency education variable in the curricula of dentistry oral health courses Australia, research largely limited students. This study aims investigate compare perceived attitudes, beliefs practices competence amongst first final year Doctor Dental Surgery (DDS) Bachelor Oral Health (BOH) students at University Melbourne School. Methods Following ethics approval, anonymous questionnaires were completed by 213 participants. The questionnaire was adapted from Schwarz’s Healthcare Provider Cultural Competence Instrument consisted five scales. Data analysed using SPSS V 24.0 software. Results A total participated this (response rate = 88%) majority participants female ( n 114, 53.5%) mean age 23.5 years (range 18–40). Australian born 110) with 74.6% 159) generation Australians. Participants who identified as represented 35.7% 76) 66.1% 141) partly Australian. Multivariate analysis indicated that, after controlling other independent variables model, those had highest score female, self-identify “Australian”, year. Furthermore, BOH scored significatively higher than DDS Conclusion findings suggest that there significant difference self-reported different stages their education. may attributed differences education, scope practice type patient encounters role modelling experience. Future should involve follow up create longitudinal data, well schools overseas.