title: Utilizing public health clinics for service-learning rotations in dental hygiene: a four-year retrospective study.
abstract: National reports outlining disparities in oral health care in the United States have focused attention on ways to encourage health care providers to become more involved in the public health arena. Utilization of service-learning in professional health education programs is one method being explored. The purpose of this study was to conduct a retrospective review of a service-learning rotation within a dental hygiene public health course. The study utilized data sources generated by students as part of a course evaluation. These sources included student journals (qualitative/quantitative) and Likert-scaled (quantitative) and open-ended (qualitative) student satisfaction survey items. Mixed methodology data analysis techniques were used to analyze and triangulate data in order to form conclusions related to the effectiveness of service-learning as a teaching strategy in dental hygiene. This investigation suggests that service-learning is an effective learning strategy for increasing student awareness of underserved populations, cultural diversity, and ethical patient care. The study also suggests that service-learning helped students to determine their level of interest in public health as a career choice by giving them a real-world experience in public health patient care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene, Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, River Bend Arena 239, Godfrey, IL 62035, USA. rebrown@lc.edu
authors.forename: Roberta E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Aston-Brown
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Branson
authors.forename: Cynthia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gadbury-Amyot
authors.forename: Kimberly Krust
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Bray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003729:Dental Care / Q000941:ethics; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education*; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011231:Preceptorship; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult