University of Kentucky community-based field experience: program description

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Experiential Learning
• Healthcare Professions Training

Background:

• Community-based field experiences (CBFE) are crucial for practical skill development in dental students.
• These experiences offer authentic patient care scenarios, bridging academic learning with real-world application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) CBFE program.
• To evaluate student perceptions of knowledge and skill enhancement in 19 patient care areas.
• To assess the overall student satisfaction with the CBFE program.

Main Methods:

• A two-year self-report survey was administered to 90 dental students (100% return rate).
• Data collected included perceived changes in knowledge and skills and overall program ratings.
• Non-parametric binomial tests were used to analyze knowledge and skill acquisition data.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant majority of students reported increased knowledge in all areas of exposure.
• Students overwhelmingly perceived the CBFE as a positive and beneficial learning experience.
• High overall ratings indicated strong student satisfaction with the program.

Conclusions:

• The UKCD CBFE program effectively enhances dental students' knowledge and skills.
• CBFE provides a meaningful, authentic, and relevant educational experience within the dental curriculum.
• The program's success supports its continued role in dental education.