'Flipping the Chair': A Satellite Model for Dental Education in Rural and Remote Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand

This article introduces an innovative educational model, 'flipping the chair,' a dynamic approach to delivering rural and remote education. Drawing on 4 years of satellite teaching experiences at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), we share key insights and lessons learnt to inform future initiatives in other university and educational settings.

Delivering comprehensive oral health education to rural and remote communities can be a complex challenge due to geographic isolation, limited resources, and workforce shortages. To address these inequities, a strategic partnership was formed in 2022 with Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora in Northland. This collaborative initiative prioritises the recruitment of Māori (Indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) students who may experience significant barriers to accessing higher education in urban regions, with the benefit of academic study in familiar surroundings.

Our satellite model of dental education was introduced in 2022 with an initial cohort of six first-year students, five students in 2023, nine in 2024, and five in 2025. Across all years, 56% of students identified as Māori. The first graduating cohort of five students completed the programme in 2024. This article discusses how AUT developed and implemented dental education within rural and remote communities.

By adapting and 'flipping' the traditional university model, we have developed a sustainable approach to rural and remote dental education with promising educational outcomes.