The project O-HEALTH-EDU aims to improve the management of oral health needs in European populations within the SDGs, through actions on dental education. There are gaps in Europe, in terms of (a) quantities (b) equity (c) skill mix (d) performance between the current available oral health workforce and the future oral health needs of the populations. There is thus a need to transform the oral health workforce in order attain the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) for Health. Education of oral health professionals is an important aspect and better matching between health services and population needs could be obtained according to WHO by “Scaling up transformative, high-quality education and lifelong learning so that all health workers have skills that match the health needs of populations and can work to their full potential.” In Europe, great variability is perceived between dental schools/programs within the same country or between countries. While most adhere to the principles of the consensus agreed competence approach the structure, conditions, content and modalities of delivery of dental education are very different from one place to another. Clinical formation is particularly questioned as some students might graduate without having had the opportunity to practice and acquire basic competencies that are necessary to ensure the security and health of patients. This is an issue as European graduates can travel all over Europe with the mutual recognition of their qualifications. In EU, many students move from their native country to study dentistry abroad in universities that offer international programs. Young graduates also tend to move to EU countries where the conditions of practice are more favourable. There is thus, all over Europe, important migration flows of students and dentists. This might lead to inequities in the density of dentists with places underserved and others overcrowded where dentists might be unemployed. The variability of the competencies of the dentists also might impact the oral health of patients with a risk of under, over or inadequate treatments depending of the situation. The convergence of competencies and quality standards at the international level must be improved. With the increase of migrating health workers, there is considerable potential to explore the development of “European transnational standards”, with an opportunity to work and upgrade their skills within CPD. The EU directive that defines dental education in Europe is not precise enough nor up to date to allow a clear definition of dental education “standards”. It also does not integrate a competency based approach. Moreover, there are specific fields in the profile of competencies of the European dentist that need to be further defined. Those fields relate to Research, Sustainability and more. The main objective of this project is to gain a validated and research grounded understanding of the realities of d and agenda. This project is driven by three overarching objectives: • to provide a diagnosis of the current situation of dental education in Europe • to enable a shared understanding and a common vision of Oral Health Professionals' Education priorities for the future among all European stakeholders and policymakers • to define priorities for a strategic vision and support changes for oral health professionals’ education in 2030. Those strategic objectives will be reached through the production of 13 outputs that will help favour convergence and harmonization of the conditions and quality of dental education in the EU territory, thus promoting the quality of dental education in order that oral health professionals provide good quality health services by ensuring a better matching between dental graduates skills and the health needs of populations. The consortium is constituted with 9 full Universities partners : • UCA, Clermont-Ferrand, France (coordinator) • University of Barcelona, Spain • University of Paris Descartes, France • University of Sheffield, United Kingdom • Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary • University of Breschia, Italy • Riga Stradins University, Latvia • University of Malmö, Sweden • Association for Dental European Education – ADEE, Dublin, Irland and associated partners, who are stakeholders and actors of the Dental Profession. Thanks to O-HEALTH-EDU project, European students, professionals and stakeholders will have a mutual understanding and a common vision of dental education, will be able to identify educational priorities so that future graduating dentists skills and competencies align with emerging oral health population needs.
The aim of the O-Health-Edu project is to provide a better understanding of the reality of OHPs education in Europe. The project is driven by three overarching objectives. The first one is to provide a comprehensive view of the current situation of OHPs education in Europe, by developing an online database with valid and reliable data, available in real time and accessible to all. This database aims to increase the visibility of OHPs educational programs and to facilitate informed decision-making at all levels for students, academics, institutions or professionals. The second objective is to enable a shared understanding about OHPs education. Building this common understanding is a complex process that involves different types of actors, in different countries and for various professions and types of training. The third objective looks to the future with the development of a vision for OHPs education in line with the WHO strategy for oral health promotion. In order to support the needed changes for the future, the project is intended to develop a toolkit for developing quality educational programs based on a competency-based approach.
The O-health-Edu project was developed in response to public health challenges such as the growing mobility of students and professionals or difficulties around the quality and accessibility of oral health care in Europe. In this field, the quality of oral health professionals (OHPs) education is crucial, influencing the ability to have enough professionals with the necessary skills. However, education in the health domain is specific with a strong professionalization component and the importance of clinical training, carried out in hospitals or in professional settings. In this context, the need for a better understanding of the true situation of OHP education in Europe is recognized by all. Indeed, there is a lack of valid, relevant and up-to-date information at an European level for OHP educational programmes. There is also a need for a common vision that would help structuring future educational programs and support relevant and quality education for OHPs. Thus, in view of these challenges, it seemed coherent to apply for Erasmus + funding for a strategic partnership. (PSO: dentists, hygienists, therapists, dental nurses)