Erosive tooth wear: what are UK undergraduates being taught?

Introduction The evidence-base for erosive tooth wear (ETW) is developing with greater awareness of both the impact of the condition and thus the importance of risk assessment using screening tools such as the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE). Aim To survey what is currently being taught in UK dental schools regarding ETW. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey of selected ETW educators from UK dental schools was administered online. Results The response rate was 16 (100% of UK dental schools). Fifty-six percent of UK dental schools report using a subject specific structure (akin to caries or periodontal disease) for teaching ETW. Ninety percent reported using ETW-specific recommendations from international curricula guidance (Organisation of Caries Research and the Association of Dental Education in Europe 2010 core cariology curriculum guidance). Ninety-two percent often/always taught BEWE screening and 75% felt that their dental learners were likely/very likely to be using BEWE routinely. Discussion UK undergraduate educators teaching ETW report high levels of engagement with implementation of the international guidance and ETW screening/risk assessment. Conclusion UK undergraduate dental teaching has almost universally adopted ETW screening and risk assessment using the BEWE. International guidance on ETW education is changing UK teaching practice with a greater emphasis on a research-informed educational approach.