Community based dental education and training – case study of a Nigerian dental school
Journal Title: Journal of Dental Specialities - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Introduction: Community- based dental training and service is the new direction in dental education. It offers a variety of positive learning experiences for dental students, providing the needed dental services for rural and the underserved areas. A case study of University of Benin dental school was carried out to evaluate the historical development of communitybased services, challenges and prospects. Materials and methods: Data was obtained using the historical method through qualitative oral interviews, documents and training brochures and retrospective method from records of outreaches to rural community dental clinic, special needs, school oral health and adult/ geriatric centre using oral health outreach summary form. The qualitative research methodology of health service evaluation was used to obtain information on historical background from library documents including school brochures and records and analyzed with Micro Soft Excel and SPSS software. Results: The development of the community dentistry in the University of Benin as a specialty began under framework granting it departmental status. The learning methods until recently were essentially lecture and clinic based with curriculum structure designed to provide newly admitted students with the understanding of their chosen profession, its development, responsibilities and ethical obligations. These improved community- based programs beginning from 2011 include oral health awareness and screening for school children, community dental services for rural dwellers, special needs and orphanage programmes, and adult/geriatric client screening services. At the Community Dental Clinic in an outpost of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, 164 patients have been seen, a total of 3479 school children were screened and 872 (25%) referred for dental treatment. Similarly 169 persons with special needs and orphans were screened with 58 (34.3%) referrals to the dental clinics. At the Oral health screening component of the Centre for Disease Control at the University of Benin Teaching (CDC-UBTH) 2609 clients seen with 1855 (71%) referrals to the dental centre. Conclusion: The provision of oral health education, comprehensive and preventive services to school children, the elderly, underserved and disadvantaged persons as a regular and sustainable program is faced with challenges.
Authors and Affiliations
Okeigbemen Sunny Ajimen
Keywords
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