Evaluation of clinical versus non-clinical continuing education in terms of preferences and value for oral healthcare workers

Figures & data

Table 1. Survey instrument questions (non-demographic).

Q1	The presentation followed the description in the program
Q2	The information presented was relevant
Q3	The audio-visual aids were effective
Q4	There was enough time for questions and answers
Q5	I improved my knowledge as a result of this presentation
Q6	I will be able to use what I have learned today in my future practice
Q7	I would rate the quality of the presenter as:
Q8	Overall, I give the presentation a score of:

Table 2. Employment category of participants.

Category of Employment	Percentage
Clinical
Dentist/Specialist	34.4
Dental Assistant	31.7
Oral Health Therapist/Dental Therapist	19.5
Lecturer/Educator	4.7
Nurse	0.5
Hygienist	0.2
Prosthetist	0.3
Non-clinical
Administration/Clerical	4.5
Researcher	0.1
Dental Technician	2.1
Other	2

Table 3. Employment workplace of participants.

Place of Employment	Frequency	Valid Percent
Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD)	4576	58.4
South Western Sydney LHD	782	10
Other	710	9
Sydney LHD	390	5
South Eastern Sydney LHD	258	3.3
University	256	3.3
Northern Sydney LHD	229	2.9
Nepean/Blue Mountains LHD	196	2.5
Illawarra/Shoalhaven LHD	145	1.9
Private practice clinician	133	1.7
Western NSW LHD	69	0.9
Monash Health Melbourne	36	0.5
Central Coast LHD	23	0.3
Australian Defence Forces	23	0.3
Totals	7826	100

Table 4. Type of CPD attended relative to staff position.

		Staff Classification
CPD Type Attended	Clinical	Non-clinical	Total
Clinical CPD	6107	468	6575
Non-clinical CPD (CE)	1427	248	1675
Totals	7534	716	8250

Table 5. Question responses from dentist/specialist compared to dental assistants.

	Position	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean	Significance (2-tailed)^a
Q1	Dentist/specialist	2787	4.4316	.70526	.01336	.000
	DA	2559	4.5029	.73867	.01460
Q2	Dentist/specialist	2789	4.3499	.76426	.01447	.000
	DA	2561	4.4561	.78842	.01558
Q3	Dentist/specialist	2784	4.3297	.81473	.01544	.096
	DA	2551	4.3685	.87708	.01737
Q4	Dentist/specialist	2754	4.2774	.85787	.01635	.096
	DA	2463	4.3187	.92374	.01861
Q5	Dentist/specialist	2787	4.2189	.86995	.01648	.001
	DA	2551	4.3034	.91933	.01820
Q6	Dentist/specialist	2790	4.0864	.95548	.01809	.000
	DA	2547	4.2057	1.01253	.02006
Q7	Dentist/specialist	2788	4.3992	2.02378	.03833	.535
	DA	2562	4.4251	.82949	.01639
Q8	Dentist/specialist	2688	4.2969	.80543	.01554	.001
	DA	2321	4.3770	.85630	.01777

^at-test for equity of means with equal variance not assumed.

Table 6. Question responses relative to clinical CPD and non-clinical CE.

	CPD Session Type	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean	Significance (2-tailed)^#
Q1	Clinical	6702	4.4749	.72573	.00886	.006
	Non Clinical (CE)	1723	4.4167	.79589	.01917
Q2	Clinical	6711	4.4080	.77411	.00945	.025
	Non Clinical (CE)	1724	4.3579	.83807	.02018
Q3	Clinical	6696	4.3744	.82315	.01006	.152
	Non Clinical (CE)	1720	4.2878	2.47201	.05961
Q4	Clinical	6561	4.3166	1.01012	.01247	.100
	Non Clinical (CE)	1675	4.2734	.94242	.02303
Q5	Clinical	6695	4.2714	.88694	.01084	.010
	Non Clinical (CE)	1717	4.1823	1.36043	.03283
Q6	Clinical	6688	4.1356	1.00559	.01230	.644
	Non Clinical (CE)	1713	4.1483	1.01402	.02450
Q7	Clinical	6707	4.4096	1.44715	.01767	.000
	Non Clinical (CE)	1727	4.3063	.89900	.02163
Q8	Clinical	6249	4.3607	1.45147	.01836	.015
	Non Clinical (CE)	1723	4.2919	.89526	.02157

^#t-test for equity of means with equal variance not assumed.

Data availability statement

Raw data were generated at Westmead Centre for Oral Health. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request.