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“Education Is Definitely Key”: An Interpretive Description Of Nursing Students’ Experiences With Pediatric Oral Health Nursing Education, Jill Bally, Shelley Spurr

Quality Advancement in Nursing Education - Avancées en formation infirmière

In North America, dental disease is the leading pediatric chronic illness. Poor oral health influences a child’s ability to speak, eat, and socialize and has been linked with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Despite overwhelming evidence that poor oral health can have lifelong and systemic influences on overall well-being, comprehensive oral health care has not been emphasized in nursing education. The purpose of this study was to explore third-year nursing students’ perceptions and experiences with pediatric oral health nursing education through an interpretive description approach. Data for analysis gathered in focus group interviews resulted in three main themes: nursing education …