Curriculum mapping of health promotion competencies in dental and oral health training programmes in Australia.

Curriculum mapping provided a snapshot of the health promotion content within dental and oral health degrees in Australia. Evaluations of the extent to which these courses meet the ADC competencies provide useful information for students, clinicians and policy makers. SO WHAT?: This study provides evidence that health promotion training is occurring at varying levels. However, in dentistry, not all the ADC health promotion competencies are being met. A change is needed in the ADC health promotion competencies and ethos of academics involved in the development of curriculum to include and give appropriate attention to health promotion theory, especially advocacy. This will enable future dental professionals to advocate for a range of oral health promotion activities such as water fluoridation, universal dental care and sugar-sweetened beverage taxes.