Staff and Student Perspectives of Rural Indigenous Health Service-Embedded Dental Clinic Outplacements

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Indigenous Health
• Dental Education

Background:

• Rural Indigenous health service-embedded dental clinics offer unique clinical outplacement opportunities.
• Assessing student preparedness and skill development during these outplacements is crucial for improving educational outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate dental clinic staff perspectives on student preparedness and skill development during rural Indigenous outplacements.
• To gather student feedback on the social, economic, and learning environment aspects of their outplacement experience.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with university staff.
• Coded content analysis was used to identify themes in staff interviews.
• Online surveys were administered to current dental students and recent graduates who participated in outplacements.

Main Results:

• Staff found students technically prepared but highlighted the need for enhanced cultural awareness.
• Students improved communication skills and gained practical cultural safety knowledge.
• Students reported economic burdens and limited social connectivity, though the learning environment was highly positive.

Conclusions:

• Rural Indigenous dental outplacements yield significant community oral health benefits and positive student outcomes.
• The study supports the sustainability of this model and recommends university initiatives for cultural safety training and student support.
• Addressing student economic challenges is essential for maximizing the benefits of these outplacements.