Insights from students following an educational rotation through dental geriatrics.
Little is known about how dental students respond to dental geriatrics. This article describes a qualitative analysis of reflective journals submitted over two years by ninety-two senior students who participated in a brief clinical rotation in long-term care facilities. We used an inductive interpretive approach to analyze the journals. Eight themes emerged from the analysis: 1) complexity of the institutional environment; 2) heterogeneity of the resident population; 3) multidisciplinary environment; 4) record keeping; 5) interactions with residents; 6) the difficulty of oral health care for frail residents; 7) bridging the gap between theory and practice; and 8) the emotional impact of the clinical experiences. Apparently, the students appreciated the opportunity to witness the complexity of care in a multidisciplinary context and to observe a practical program of oral health care. They described the rotations as unique and emotionally challenging but very worthwhile. Overall, they wrote positively about their experiences with the elderly residents, acknowledged the contribution of the rotation as important to their clinical maturation, and reported that the experience enhanced their appreciation of a dentist's professional responsibilities.
MacEntee
Michael I
MI
Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada. macentee@interchange.ubc.ca
Pruksapong
Matana
M
Wyatt
Chris C L
CC
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D004497:Education, Dental; D004644:Emotions; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005850:Geriatric Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011996:Records; D012931:Social Environment; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*