QUALITY CONTROL IN THE SUBJECT “CLÍNICA ODONTOLÓGICA INTEGRADA”. CREATION OF NEW EVALUATION METHODOLOGIES AND CHECK-LIST TYPE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO MINIMIZE COGNITIVE ERRORS IN DENTAL PRACTICE TEACHING

Introduction:
The present project arises from the necessity of improvement in the clinical care of the subject "Clínica Odontológica Integrada", which is taken by students from the last two years of the Degree in Dentistry. The increase in positive motivation of the patients and their families during the operative procedures will generate a greater perception of the quality of attention. We have checked the obvious difficulty for students to realize the needs arised in the clinic when patients are treated.

Objectives:
We aim to generate quality standards in dental care, to encourage student's clinical involvement in order to improve dental care in society, and to enable the genesis of an increase in the demand for dental care in the Faculty of Dentistry.

Materials and Methods:
There have been carried out quality control interventions and critical analysis of the methodology used for the clinical assistance of the patients, through the preparation of validated questionnaires. Besides, satisfaction surveys have been designed in relation to the care received by the patient. We have compiled the assessment data of the measures applied in the student "Check-list" and the results of the surveys for patients. We have divided the sample into an intervention group of 40 patients-students and a control group of 10 patients-students.

Results:
Regarding the quantification of the impact of the measures taken on the sample, the results lead us to believe that the use of validated questionnaires allows the students to know the areas of improvement which are necessary to carry out an optimal dental clinical care and to integrate into a quality policy. In relation to the evaluation of the procedure itself, teachers understand that it is necessary to review the elements presented, as well as the establishment of a supervisory system or greater motivation in the student. The improvement areas according to the satisfaction surveys are basically the waiting time from the moment the patient registers in the Faculty until he/she is treated, and the facilities. The evaluation of the rest of the items is very positive in the intervention group, due to the implementation of the checklists, not being so positive in the control group, where there are many more areas for improvement (for example, information after the procedure). It has been proved that patient satisfaction is related to important aspects like the adherence to treatment or the recommendations of health professionals.

Discussion:
After the routine systematization of the "check list" systems, protocols have been established to specify each action within a dental procedure, in order to avoid procedural mistakes which lead to an increase in the morbidity or in non optimal interventions for the patient. One of the main obstacles that arises in our area results from the shortage of patients (specially children) that demand clinical attention in our center. We intend to minimize this negative aspect. We try to apply the strictest international standards. We have not found in the literature similar systems to the one that has been currently tested in this project.

Conclusions:
The students have been able to evaluate their own procedures and this has generated the verification by the teacher of the quality for the clinical assistance performed. It is expected to check in later courses that the implementation of these improvements will provide greater interest in the population to be attended in our Faculty.