Abstract:

Introduction:
The different international dentistry associations consider that one of the major general skills for dentistry students to learn is oral and written communication.
The University of the Basque Country (UPV / EHU) is implementing a comprehensive project for the progressive achievement of 40 communication skills during the degrees, with three levels of performance: to identify information about the skill (1st and 2nd academic years), develop the skills under close supervision (3rd and 4th years), develop the skill autonomously with less supervision (5th year).

Objective:
To design oral surgery academic activities in the 3rd year of dentistry to facilitate the development of oral and written communication skills under close supervision.

Methodological design:
A simulated clinical scenario is proposed for students to achieve the following skills: update a medical history, interact with other clinical professionals (General Practitioner, cardiologist, endocrinologist,...) to obtain relevant clinical information, draft an informed consent, write an oral health report, convey a poor prognosis, notify the impossibility of carrying out a treatment, and appropriate behaviour in different emergency situations. The design of these activities includes ongoing self-learning, teamwork and feedback on reports and oral presentations handed in. The activities are assessed through peer critical assessment and teacher rubric.

Results:
The total number of students included in the study is 16. The academic results (expressed as mean ± standard deviation, SD) shows that the score obtained in oral communication was 8.5 ± 1.4 (range, 6 - 10). Regarding written communication skills, mean scores were below 8, and particularly lower when requesting documentation from other professionals (5.4 ± 1.2) and writing health reports (6.4 ± 0.9).

Conclusion:
The introduction of academic activities in the curriculum aimed at developing communication skills is essential. Their assessment and follow-up enable detection of which skills require further reinforcement, such as some written skills.

Acknowledgement:
PIE 82. Educational Advisory Service. Vice-rectorate for Innovation, Social Commitment and Cultural Action UPV / EHU.

Keywords:

Communication skills, design of teaching activities.