The benefits of an innovative community engagement model in dental undergraduate education

Abstract

Dental healthcare students at the Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth, UK undertake community engagement projects as a core part of their undergraduate curriculum. Students work with their peers to develop a student-led, evidence-based project working with target groups in the local community to address oral health needs. The aim of the programme is to further the students' understanding of health inequalities and the health needs of different groups in the community, while developing skills that will help them deliver holistic dental care as part of their future professional practice. This report highlights our model of education delivery in collaboration with the community, the student-learning outcomes and discusses some of the benefits of this approach including examples of projects that have benefitted the community. We highlight the further work needed to evaluate the longer-term impacts on students of undertaking social accountability programmes.