What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the extent and format of cleft lip and/or palate teaching across UK undergraduate dental curricula and examine student confidence, preparedness, and clinical exposure.

August 14, 2026European Journal Of Dental EducationOpen Access

Cleft Lip and/or Palate Education and Undergraduate Preparedness in UK Dental School Curricula: A National Cross‐Sectional Study

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Authors

JKJoshua KennedyBritish Dental Association MAMartin AshleyManchester Academic Health Science Centre

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals low confidence and minimal clinical exposure to cleft lip and palate among UK dental undergraduates, highlighting the need for standardized national curricula.

Key Points

To evaluate the extent and format of cleft lip and/or palate teaching across UK undergraduate dental curricula and examine student confidence, preparedness, and clinical exposure.
A national cross-sectional online survey of undergraduate dental students was distributed across all 16 UK dental schools from September 2024 to January 2025 (N = 183; response rate 3.7%, 95% CI 3.2–4.2).
Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of student confidence, clinical exposure, and career interest.
Overall, 63.4% of respondents reported under two hours of cumulative cleft teaching, 90.2% (n = 165) had zero clinical involvement, and 65.0% (n = 119) lacked confidence in their cleft knowledge (including 55.6% of final-year students).
Cumulative teaching hours served as the strongest independent predictor of student confidence (OR 8.14, 95% CI 3.67–18.06, p < 0.001), multidisciplinary team awareness (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.99–5.66, p < 0.001), and future specialist interest (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09–3.04, p = 0.022).

Cite This Study

Kennedy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ee587b70b84ec8b914683 https://doi.org/10.1111/eje.70250

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals low confidence and minimal clinical exposure to cleft lip and palate among UK dental undergraduates, highlighting the need for standardized national curricula.

Cleft Lip and/or Palate Education and Undergraduate Preparedness in UK Dental School Curricula: A National Cross‐Sectional Study

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Cleft Lip and/or Palate Education and Undergraduate Preparedness in UK Dental School Curricula: A National Cross‐Sectional Study

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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