Dental students’ perceived comfort and future willingness to treat underserved populations: surveys prior to and immediately after extramural experiences

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceived change in comfort level and future willingness of senior dental students toward treating 12 different groups of traditionally underserved populations. Written surveys of senior dental students were conducted prior to and after completing extramural clinical rotations. A Likert-type scale was used to assess student comfort, whereas future willingness to treat these populations was dichotomous. Over a 13-year period (1992–2004), 560 students completed both surveys. There was an improvement in students’ comfort level for 7 of 12 groups after the community-based assignments, yet there were no differences among population groups based on students’ gender or assignments. There were positive changes for future willingness to treat patients who were mentally compromised, homeless, and non-English speaking, while there was a negative change for treating patients who were frail and elderly and those who were HIV+ or had AIDS. Students with improved comfort levels were more apt to be willing to treat patients who were frail elderly, medically complex, mentally compromised, and non-English speaking in the future. While student comfort in treating several groups improved after completion of the community-based experiences, there were mixed results for future willingness to treat underserved populations.

Knowledge, risk perception and attitudes of Dentistry students with regard to HIV/AIDS

“…Other studies demonstrated the same results for both working professionals and students, who demonstrate fear and negative tendencies toward HIV+ patients, as well as occasional discrimination [3][4][5][8][9][10][11][14][15][17][18]20 . What attracts particular attention in the findings of this study is the fact that students in semesters that have had little contact with the dental clinic, showed less apprehensive or fearful attitudes regarding the treatment of infected patients compared to students in more advanced semesters, of whom greater psychological preparation would be expected due to their greater practical experience.…”

“…What attracts particular attention in the findings of this study is the fact that students in semesters that have had little contact with the dental clinic, showed less apprehensive or fearful attitudes regarding the treatment of infected patients compared to students in more advanced semesters, of whom greater psychological preparation would be expected due to their greater practical experience. This same fact is reported in some studies 4,17 but differs from others 18 . The majority would treat patients infected with AIDS, however almost all of the students agreed that there should be some kind of specialized course on theoretical and practical knowledge regarding care of HIV+ patients.…”

“…However, due to a lack of adequate knowledge, dental surgeons are routinely influenced by fear, prejudice, confusion and ambivalence concerning the proper conduct with regard to HIV+ patients and previous experiences with AIDS patients. Their fear may stem from having lost other patients to the disease, thus denying care to or referring HIV+ patients, transgressing the ethical principles that govern the profession 3,15,[17][18] . It is during graduation course that students should acquire knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases and make a habit of adopting biosecurity measures in order to be aware of the best course of action to take after exposure to possible pathogens 2,4,19 , thereby developing an understanding that all knowledge acquired will have repercussions on their attitudes and behavior in their daily professional practice of dentistry 4 .…”

Influence of Community‐Based Dental Education on Practice Choice: Preliminary Data from East Carolina University

“…[28][29][30] However, the methodology used in those studies was not directly comparable to ours: their programs compared perceptions from current dental students or graduates who participated in two diferent types of programs (traditional curriculum versus community-based rotations) and assessed willingness to treat underserved populations. [28][29][30] However, the methodology used in those studies was not directly comparable to ours: their programs compared perceptions from current dental students or graduates who participated in two diferent types of programs (traditional curriculum versus community-based rotations) and assessed willingness to treat underserved populations.…”

“…10,11 Data have shown that CBDE improves dental student competence, productivity, and conidence as well as exposes students to practice opportunities in underserved settings. [28][29][30][31][32] Further, one study reported that students' intended practice choice did not always accurately predict subsequent behavior. Some studies have shown a measurable efect of CBDE on practice plans and awareness or intent to care for vulnerable or underserved populations.…”