Assessment of a dental rural teaching program

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a rural clinical placement on students’ self-perceived clinical skills and work location choice post-graduation. METHODS: A one month rural placement program was introduced in 2008–2009 for 4(th) year dental undergraduates. Student’s views on the rural exercise were collected by pre and post self-completion questionnaires, which were distributed to rural placement students and to the students who did not participate in the placement. Information was collected on self-reported skill levels in various clinical techniques using Likert scales and future rural work intentions. Clinical supervisors and University Faculty Members opinions on the students clinical work were also collected via interviews. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 27 years and the majority were female (57%). All the placement students (volunteers) completed pre and post placement questionnaires and (67%) of the non-placement students completed the pre questionnaire and (65%) a post questionnaire. When the two groups were compared in terms of their Likert scores, there was a significantly (P<.02) larger increase in skill level in the rural group. Clinical supervisors confirmed volunteers increased in confidence and ability in clinical skills post placement. The majority (96%) of students who completed a placement reported that they were more likely to work in a rural environment after graduation. CONCLUSIONS: The rural placement improved the self-perceived clinical skills of the volunteers and enhanced positive attitudes towards working in a rural location.