IADR Abstract Archives
Dental Education Outreach Activities At The University of Queensland
Objectives: Dental education outreach activities at The University of Queensland (UQ) includes collaborative projects with Brisbane Youth Service (BYS), Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), Oral Health Alliance, Metro North Mental Health Service, and Aveo Retirement Village to expose dental students to homeless people, refugees, people in rural/remote places, people with mental health issues and the elderly in a non-dental setting.
Methods: School of Dentistry students (Year 3-5) are approached via The University of Queensland communication site Blackboard to be volunteers. Student placement agreements are signed between the Head of School of Dentistry and the relevant organisations.
Results: In 2016, 24 Year 3 students volunteered with TIMA Yeronga Dental Fair that provided dental treatments, health and nutritional advices for 200 refugees/asylum seekers.
Together with eight Dietetics students, seven Year 5 student-pairs provided dental screening, oral health education and information on accessing care to 108 clients (18-65 years old) from two community mental health clinics. Of the 68 clients who attended the Oral Health Centre, majority (88%) were either satisfied or very satisfied with the clinic.
In 2017, 11 students volunteered with TIMA Tara Medical/Dental Fair providing dental treatment, including dentures to the rural community over three days.
Across 2016-2017, UQ with BYS implemented a Dental Rescue service for homeless youth run quarterly. To date, five dentistry students (with 28 dental professionals) volunteered a total combined time of 284 hours to help 95 BYS clients. Examinations, cleans and restorations were provided (estimated value = $40,300; Ian Potter Foundation Grant).
Year 5 student-pairs also provide dental screening and oral health education with Dietetics students to elderly residents at Aveo.
Conclusions: Given the opportunity, students are willing to volunteer for dental education outreach activities and report positive experiences. These opportunistic interprofessional activities need academic and financial support as a part of undergraduate curriculum.
Methods: School of Dentistry students (Year 3-5) are approached via The University of Queensland communication site Blackboard to be volunteers. Student placement agreements are signed between the Head of School of Dentistry and the relevant organisations.
Results: In 2016, 24 Year 3 students volunteered with TIMA Yeronga Dental Fair that provided dental treatments, health and nutritional advices for 200 refugees/asylum seekers.
Together with eight Dietetics students, seven Year 5 student-pairs provided dental screening, oral health education and information on accessing care to 108 clients (18-65 years old) from two community mental health clinics. Of the 68 clients who attended the Oral Health Centre, majority (88%) were either satisfied or very satisfied with the clinic.
In 2017, 11 students volunteered with TIMA Tara Medical/Dental Fair providing dental treatment, including dentures to the rural community over three days.
Across 2016-2017, UQ with BYS implemented a Dental Rescue service for homeless youth run quarterly. To date, five dentistry students (with 28 dental professionals) volunteered a total combined time of 284 hours to help 95 BYS clients. Examinations, cleans and restorations were provided (estimated value = $40,300; Ian Potter Foundation Grant).
Year 5 student-pairs also provide dental screening and oral health education with Dietetics students to elderly residents at Aveo.
Conclusions: Given the opportunity, students are willing to volunteer for dental education outreach activities and report positive experiences. These opportunistic interprofessional activities need academic and financial support as a part of undergraduate curriculum.