Development of entrustable professional activities for post-doctorate pediatric dentistry education

Purpose: To identify the core components of pediatric dentistry defining entrustable professional activities (EPAs) representing the profession.

Methods: Potential core components of pediatric dentistry and corresponding domains were identified through review of literature and existing pediatric dentistry standards. A modified Delphi technique was utilized to rate these candidate EPAs to achieve consensus around prioritized EPAs.

Results: Eleven participants participated in all three rounds of the Delphi. After three rounds, 16 candidate EPAs reached consensus for pediatric dentistry. Each EPA fell into one of four domains: "assessment and planning," "provision of care," "behavior guidance," and "professional development." An original candidate EPA focused on non-pharmacological behavior guidance was deemed too broad by the Delphi. This EPA was subsequently developed into three separate components on nitrous oxide analgesia, moderate sedation, and general anesthesia.

Conclusions: Prioritized EPAs will help define the essential activities of the profession and provide a framework for creating assessments to ensure that graduating pediatric residents are ready for unsupervised practice.