Methods: A self-administered survey with closed and open-ended questions was administered to first year students in the School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DOH) at Griffith University at the end of Semester 2. These students were enrolled in one of four programs, namely, a Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science, Oral Health Therapy, Dental Technology or Dental Technology (Post-Registration). Fifty-eight surveys were completed and returned giving a response rate of 68%. Ethical clearance was approved by the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee. This study was self-funded. Quantitative data were entered and analysed using EXCEL and qualitative data were analysed using a four-step process of organising, shaping, summarising and explaining.
Results: Results indicate that 59% of DOH students did not study/learn with students in other health programs, 32% studied with students from other dental programs, 63% studied with students within their own dental program and 67% indicated that it was advantageous to have lecturers with different professional dental backgrounds. Quotes from the open-ended questions on dental integration in the School ranged from very supportive in terms of teamwork and future professional relationships through to no advantages or lack of group identity.
Conclusion: Students enrolled at a new Dental School in Australia (the first new Dental School in 57 years) need to be encouraged to experience the advantages of cross-professional education if a team approach to dentistry is going to move from rhetoric to reality.