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J Dent Educ. 72(4): 422-430 2008
© 2008 American Dental Education Association
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Milieu in Dental School and Practice

Dentists’ Comfort in Treating Underserved Populations After Participating in Community-Based Clinical Experiences as a Student

Michelle R. McQuistan, D.D.S., M.S.; Raymond A. Kuthy, D.D.S., M.P.H.; Keith E. Heller, D.D.S., Dr.P.H.; Fang Qian, Ph.D.; Katharine J. Riniker, D.D.S.

Key words: attitude of health personnel, dentist comfort, extramural, frail elderly, dental care for disabled, homebound

Submitted for publication 08/01/07; accepted 12/10/07

The purpose of this project was to determine new dentists’ comfort levels in treating traditionally underserved populations after participating in two consecutive five-week community-based clinical experiences while in dental school. A written survey was mailed to all known University of Iowa alumni (1992–2002; N=745). Respondents were asked to rank their comfort levels in treating twelve underserved populations on a five-point Likert type scale (5=no problem; 1=will not). Bivariate and logistic regression model analyses were performed to examine associations (p<0.05) among comfort and six predictor variables. Alumni (n=372) were most comfortable treating other ethnic, low-income, non-English-speaking, and HIV+/AIDS populations and least comfortable treating incarcerated and homebound populations. The following variables were significantly associated with comfort: 1) perception that the community experiences had great/much value; 2) practice located in larger communities; 3) non-solo practitioners; and 4) dentist’s gender. As more dental schools utilize community-based clinical experiences to increase students’ exposure to underserved populations, it is important that these experiences provide exposure to a variety of populations. Additionally, dental schools should continuously monitor the short- and long-term value of these programs for their students and recent graduates.




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