152 - Predoctoral Training in Adverse Childhood Experiences and Children’s Oral Health

Purpose: Scarce information and guidelines are available to prepare future dentists to deliver care and manage children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This project aims to evaluate dental students' knowledge, attitudes, and awareness about ACEs. The goal is to create foundational learning material and guidelines about ACEs and ACE screening in dental education.

Methods: Two cohorts of third-year dental students (D3s) from the classes of 2022 and 2023. The participants completed a 25-item pre-module questionnaire, followed by an educational module, including a presentation on ACEs, toxic stress, and their connection to oral health, and a case-based discussion. After completing the module, participants answered a 25-item post-module survey.

Results: A total of 226 D3s completed the pre-module questionnaire and 195 completed the post-module questionnaire. Before the module, an average of 53% of students had never heard about ACEs, and 46% had no knowledge of toxic stress. However, after the module, more than 95% of students expressed gaining knowledge about ACEs and toxic stress. Additionally, 98% of students agreed that ACEs and toxic stress can impact a patient's behavior when receiving dental treatment. The results showed that the D3s reported that the module helped increase their comfort in talking about and screening for ACEs and toxic stress by 57% and 85%, respectively.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated increased knowledge, attitudes, and comfort with ACEs and toxic stress for third-year dental students. The module creates a foundation for provider engagement in ACE screening and discussion in patient care and clinical settings.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by the 2022-2023 UCLA Equity Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Career Development Award and the 2023 UCLA Academic Senate Faculty Research Grant.