Assessment of Improving Communication Skills of Dental Graduates using Live Dental Health Education Programs

Abstract

Background: The mass media are of immense benefit when employed intensively in favor of public health. These media are utilized at all levels of public health in the hope of achieving three major effects: The learning of correct health information and knowledge, the changing of established health attitudes and practices, and the introduction and establishment of new health behavior. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the improvement of communicative, interactive, and oratory skills among the interns of 2006 and 2007 batch in Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences by conducting live dental health education program (The Radio Program - Pushpavani Aarogyam). Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among the interns of 2006 and 2007 batch in Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla. A sample of 73 interns was enrolled for the study. A closed-ended questionnaire in English was sent by E-mail to all interns, and the improvement of communication skills was evaluated. Data were collected from E-mail, which was mailed back by all interns in 2006 and 2007 batch, and percentage was calculated for each answer. For statistical purpose, mean scores were calculated. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software, and appropriate statistical tests were applied. Results: Nearly, 91.8% of interns got more knowledge about the subject from their radio program. 93.2% of interns were confident in doing another live dental health education program. 43.8% of interns were confident in attending telephone calls during the radio program. 87.7% of interns had sufficient speech clarity. 74% of interns were tensed while presenting the radio program. 84.9% of interns have improved their mother tongue after radio program. 95.9% of interns had improved their communication skills. 94.5% of interns considered it beneficial and proposed that it should be continued as a curriculum program. Conclusion: The radio program was found to be highly effective and beneficial to the public as well as to the dental interns who put their efforts in educating the masses. The subject knowledge, presentation skill, communication skills, and self-confidence were found to be significantly improved in dental graduates through the radio programs.