Developing dental education in primary care: The student perspective

Abstract

A pilot outreach course in restorative dentistry based in community clinics began in 2001. As part of the evaluation, 48 fourth year students completed a questionnaire about their opinions of the new course, and about restorative dentistry clinics in the dental hospital. Time management was the most frequently mentioned gain from outreach. In relation to the dental school, students most often saw the specialised teaching staff as a gain. Outreach was equally or more important for students' confidence in clinical diagnosis of dental caries, treatment planning, direct restorations, communicating with patients, and managing patients, time, and resources. The dental hospital was equally or more important for their confidence in the diagnosis of periodontal disease, root planing, crowns, bridges, dentures, and communicating effectively with laboratory staff. Patients in outreach were seen as different from those at the dental hospital because they were unselected, and had different treatment needs. Meeting course requirements was the most frequent concern about outreach. In relation to the dental hospital, students were most often concerned about the quality of teaching and support available. Outreach and the dental hospital provided complementary experiences and the new course met its educational objectives.

Outreach teaching – the Leeds experience: reflections after one year

“…Our clinic was newly equipped and all equipment and materials were selected by Leeds Dental Institute, to provide a con sistent standard of facilities throughout all of our learning environments. Other schemes 4 were not so fortunate in this regard. Our student feedback indicates that they appreciated the facilities and materials provided.…”

“…Our students valued the sup port from the student dental nurses and chairside support has been reported by other studies to be seen as important. 4,7,9 Feedback from Leeds students showed an appreciation of the support that the student nurses provided.…”

“…Communication with the labora tory takes place in a more 'real life' environment 7 than is usually the case with a laboratory that is incorporated in the dental school. 4 Good communi cations skills can be fostered between undergraduates and dental technology 77% of students either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement: The whole experi ence of Outreach has increased my awareness of dentistry outside the hospital setting.…”

“…2,4 Environmen tal factors such as increased nursing support, electronic patient management systems and patient expectation are likely to have contributed to this.…”

Undergraduate experience and self-assessed confidence in paediatric dentistry: comparison of three UK dental schools

“…In keeping with previous reports, this study clearly demonstrates the invaluable and increasing role that outreach teaching plays in meeting learning outcomes for dental students. 10,15,18,19 …”