Training to Care for Limited English Proficient Patients and Provision of Interpreter Services at U.S. Dental School Clinics.
Legal protections in the United States mandate that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) have equal access to health care. However, LEP populations are at higher risk of poor health. Dental school clinics offer lower cost care by supervised dental students and often provide care for LEP patients. The aims of this study were to survey dental students about their clinical experience with LEP patients, the interpreter resources available at their dental school clinics, and the extent of instruction on these topics. Academic deans at 19 dental schools (30.6% of 62 invited schools) distributed the survey to their students, and the survey was completed by 325 students (4.2% of students at the 19 participating schools). Among the responding students, 44% reported their dental school clinic lacked formal interpreter services, and most of the respondents reported receiving minimal instruction on caring for LEP patients. Only 54% of the responding students reported feeling adequately prepared to manage LEP patients following graduation. These results suggest there is limited access to interpreter services for students while in dental school. A large proportion of these dental students thus reported feeling unprepared to treat LEP patients after graduation.
Dr. Simon is a Fellow in Oral Health and Medicine Integration, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and MD Candidate, Harvard Medical School; Dr. Hum is a Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University; and Dr. Nalliah is Director of Clinical Education, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Lisa_Simon@hsdm.harvard.edu.
Lisa
L
Simon
Dr. Simon is a Fellow in Oral Health and Medicine Integration, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and MD Candidate, Harvard Medical School; Dr. Hum is a Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University; and Dr. Nalliah is Director of Clinical Education, University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Lauren
L
Hum
Dr. Simon is a Fellow in Oral Health and Medicine Integration, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and MD Candidate, Harvard Medical School; Dr. Hum is a Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University; and Dr. Nalliah is Director of Clinical Education, University of Michigan School of Dentistry.
Romesh
R
Nalliah
D003144:Communication Barriers; D003740:Dental Clinics; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D012575:Schools, Dental; D014175:Translating
clinical education; cultural competence; dental education; interpreters; limited English proficiency; oral health; oral health disparities