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Bandehagh A, Khami MR, Farshad F, Hessari H. Community-based dental education in Iranian dental schools. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:526. [PMID: 38702651 PMCID: PMC11071149 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04290-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based dental education (CBDE) has been an essential advancement in dental education in recent decades, enhancing it in many aspects. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and improvements of CBDE in dental schools in Iran. METHODS In the present descriptive study, an electronic questionnaire, including 18 "yes/no", "multiple choice", and "short answer" questions about the nature and extent of CBDE and students' experience in CBDE, was used. In early 2021, the questionnaires were mailed to the deans of all 43 dental schools in Iran under the supervision of the Council for Dental Education of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Reminder calls were made after 6 and 12 weeks. Dental schools that did not follow the CBDE program were excluded. The responses were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS Thirty-six dental schools completed the questionnaire (response rate: 84%). Seventeen schools (47%) reported having CBDE in their dental program. Sites lacking a well-equipped dental setting were the most used out of all extramural sites. The number of weeks dedicated to CBDE ranged between 1 and 20 (median: 4). The most common dental procedures practiced in extramural sites were pediatric dentistry (100%), restorative dentistry (71%), and dental examination (59%). The student-to-supervisor ratio in CBDE ranged between 3 and 15 (median: 5). In most schools (65%), the staff involved in directing CBDE were Community Oral Health PhDs. CONCLUSIONS An increasing number of Iranian dental schools have integrated CBDE into their undergraduate dental curriculum. The characteristics and extent of this educational strategy vary widely among dental schools. CBDE can be more effective by making positive changes in dental programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ata Bandehagh
- Research Center for Caries Prevention (RCCP), Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, First floor, Qods Street, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Khami
- Research Center for Caries Prevention (RCCP), Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, First floor, Qods Street, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farshad
- Research Center for Caries Prevention (RCCP), Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, First floor, Qods Street, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran, 1417614411, Iran
| | - Hossein Hessari
- Research Center for Caries Prevention (RCCP), Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, First floor, Qods Street, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran, 1417614411, Iran.
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Elsheli J, Patrick A, Stokes C. Community-based education programmes in the context of dental education: A scoping review. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2024; 28:576-590. [PMID: 38147469 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community education programmes are vital tools for teaching skills, such as understanding the larger cultural, economic and social determinants of health and how these factors impact people's health. It is currently unclear whether community education programmes in the field of dentistry deliver adequate value. This review aims to scope, collate and analyse globally published evidence concerning community education programmes in dentistry from inception, to gain an understanding of the intentions for these programmes and establish whether outcomes have shifted over time from the original intentions. METHODS Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews was employed to guide the reviewers. A systematic search of electronic databases and the reference lists in key papers was conducted. RESULTS A systematic search concerning community education in dentistry identified a total of 140 papers for full-text evaluations. After further exclusions, 115 articles were selected for data charting. There was a lack of clarity in the literature concerning programmes' definitions and strategies for achieving intentions. Origins, intentions and motivations of the programmes were identified. The literature largely focused on assessing students' clinical treatment skills, contradicting the programme's original idea and intentions. Only a few studies incorporated patient and community perspectives, and the majority of assessments were self-reported, primarily by students. CONCLUSIONS There is broad interest in integrating community education into dental curricula to teach complex concepts, dental public health principles and to ensure professional skills development. We identified issues in the literature around programme definitions, strategies, measurement approaches and programme success requiring additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Elsheli
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Alison Patrick
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Dyer TA, Chapple B. 'The dental nurse played a vital role in helping to manage the patient': a thematic analysis of undergraduate dental students' reflective journals from outreach placements. Br Dent J 2023; 234:527-533. [PMID: 37059783 DOI: 10.1038/s41415-023-5688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Community-based dental education, or 'outreach', forms a key part of dental courses in some high-income countries. Its educational benefits are well-established and once graduated, participants feel better prepared for their early career. Yet, it is less clear what students actually learn while on placements.Materials and method Qualitative document and thematic analysis of a convenience sample of anonymised dental student reflective journals (n = 51).Results The reflective journals described varied and broadly positive learning experiences. Analysis identified a number of themes of learning. Most related to the process and outcomes of care, but two key themes - dental anxiety and teamworking - were interrelated with both. Within teamworking, dental nurses appeared important in students' learning. Three process interrelated themes of learning were identified in the data. These were: tailoring your approach; communication and time; and evidence-based dentistry and minimising risk. Two broad interrelated themes relating to outcomes for patients and students were also identified: trust and confidence; and professionalism and personal development.Conclusion This research identified important and potentially transformative learning from outreach placements. This included how dental anxiety impacts patients and the dental team, the importance of teamworking, and the role of dental nurses in students' experiential learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Dyer
- Senior Clinical Teacher, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK.
| | - Briana Chapple
- Academic Development Adviser, Academic Development Team, The Elevate Hub, University of Sheffield, 210 Portobello, Sheffield, S1 4AE, UK
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Smith PD, Noorullah K, Syed S, Iqbal L, Tomar SL. Foreign-trained dentists' reflections on access to care after participating in a community-based dental education curriculum. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2022; 3:996624. [PMID: 36186538 PMCID: PMC9523216 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2022.996624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many people suffer poor oral health due to dentists not providing care to them. The number of foreign-trained dentists in the US is increasing, yet little is known about their involvement in providing care to underserved populations. Dental education programs use community-based dental education (CBDE) to expose dental students to access to care issues, and encourage them to provide care to underserved populations upon graduation. The aim of this study was to assess foreign-trained dentists' attitudes about access to care issues after completing a CBDE course at a dental school in the Midwest. Fifty-two dentists participated in the CBDE program from 2018 to 2019, as part of an advanced standing curriculum, and completed guided, reflective essays. Forty-seven dentists agreed to have their essays anonymously coded for research. Four researchers reviewed the essays independently, developed a coding scheme, and recoded to agreement. The main themes dentists mentioned were the affect of the CBDE program on enhancing their clinical skills, fostering an awareness of healthcare system inadequacies, as well as an awareness of how specific social determinants limit access to care, and helping to encourage a sense of personal and professional responsibility to address access to care issues. This study highlights the value of CBDE on helping future dental providers learn about and reflect on access to care issues. It also provides insight into foreign-trained dentists' attitudes about access to care issues, and supports their participation in CBDE programs to foster their contributions in addressing access to care issues in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Dean Smith
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL, United States
- Correspondence: Patrick Dean Smith
| | - Khatija Noorullah
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Syeda Syed
- University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Laila Iqbal
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Scott L. Tomar
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, Chicago, IL, United States
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do Nascimento CF, Warmling CM. Service-Learning in undergraduate dental education: Professional competence for clinical decision-making. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2021; 25:191-198. [PMID: 32794326 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study was to evaluate a Service-Learning activity in a dental education programme and the clinical decision-making in the development of professional competence of undergraduate dental students. METHODS The study consisted of a single holistic case study that involved quantitative and qualitative analyses. A total of 246 last-semester students from a School of Dentistry in southern Brazil, between the years of 2013 and 2016, answered an anonymous online questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions (5-point Likert scale). Two thematic axes were analysed: structural and pedagogical evaluation of the internship experience and development of professional competences (theory of Ergology). The SPSS program (16.0) was used to obtain means and standard deviations for a descriptive analysis of the data. Content analysis was performed for the qualitative data. RESULTS The scores ranged from neutral to positive concerning pedagogical dynamics (mean scores between 3.08 and 3.82). The preceptors were evaluated with the best mean score (3.82). All the components used to assess professional competences obtained positive scores with the exception of teamwork (2.95). Adaptations to the clinical protocols learned in class were made by 44% of the students. CONCLUSIONS The data showed that undergraduate dental students in the Service-Learning programme acquire competencies for clinical decision-making under unusual reality conditions. Adaptation of protocols was not related to less or greater knowledge of the protocols, which would be a negative condition, but to the students' ability to formulate connections between scientific knowledge and the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Ferreira do Nascimento
- Graduate Program of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program Teaching in Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cristine Maria Warmling
- Graduate Program Teaching in Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program Evaluation of Technologies of the Unified Health System, Grupo Hospitalar Conceição, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Smith PD, Mays KA. Dental Students' Non‐Clinical Learning During Community‐Based Experiences: A Survey of U.S. Dental Schools. J Dent Educ 2019; 83:1289-1295. [DOI: 10.21815/jde.019.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D. Smith
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry Division of Prevention and Public Health Sciences University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry
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Furlini L, Noushi N, Castonguay G, Allison P, Bedos C, De Souza R, Esfandiari S, Hovey R, Macdonald ME, Morris M, Nicolau B, Power F, Feine J. Assessing Dental Students’ Readiness to Treat Populations That Are Underserved: A Scoping Review. J Dent Educ 2018; 82:483-491. [DOI: 10.21815/jde.018.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Furlini
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | - Nioushah Noushi
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | | | | | - Christophe Bedos
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | - Raphael De Souza
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | | | - Richard Hovey
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | | | - Martin Morris
- Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering; McGill University
| | - Belinda Nicolau
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | - Frances Power
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
| | - Jocelyne Feine
- Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry; McGill University
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Mays KA, Maguire M. Care Provided by Students in Community-Based Dental Education: Helping Meet Oral Health Needs in Underserved Communities. J Dent Educ 2018; 82:20-28. [DOI: 10.21815/jde.018.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Meghan Maguire
- Outreach Division, Department of Primary Dental Care; University of Minnesota
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Major N, McQuistan MR. An Exploration of Dental Students’ Assumptions About Community-Based Clinical Experiences. J Dent Educ 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2016.80.3.tb06081.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Major
- University of Utah Hospital; Salt Lake City
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics
| | - Michelle R. McQuistan
- Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry; University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics
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