Patients treated by dental students in outreach: the first year of a pilot project

Patients treated by dental students in outreach: the first year of a pilot project
Issue online:
29 Mar 2005
Accepted for publication, 14 June 2004
To cite this article: A. Elkind, C. Potter, C. Watts, F. Blinkhorn, J. Duxbury, P. Hull, A. S. Blinkhorn (2005)
Patients treated by dental students in outreach: the first year of a pilot project
European Journal of Dental Education 9 (2), 49Ò52.
doi:10.1111/j.1600-0579.2005.00356.x
Blackwell Synergy

A. Elkind, C. Potter, C. Watts, F. Blinkhorn, J. Duxbury, P. Hull and A. S. BlinkhornUniversity Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Address:
Professor Anthony S. Blinkhorn
University Dental Hospital
Higher Cambridge Street
Manchester M15 6FH UK
Tel: 0161 275 6610
Fax: 0161 275 6299
e-mail: anthony.blinkhorn@man.ac.uk

Abstract
Abstract This paper describes the patients treated by 4th year undergraduate students during the first year of a pilot outreach course to teach Restorative Dentistry in community clinics in 2001Û02. Data were collected from 908 summaries of patient treatment completed by the students, and from 139 patient questionnaires. Some 75% of patients were aged between 16 and 64, 58% were female, and 16% had dental phobia or anxiety. Most lived locally to the clinic and 41% made their initial contact as an emergency or drop-in. Some 37% made only a single visit (including children treated as emergencies) but 22% made six or more visits. Did not attend (DNA) was a problem and 18% of patients DNA to complete their treatment. Students undertook the full range of restorative procedures, with the emphasis on direct restorations, preventive treatment and advice, scaling, extractions and emergency treatment. PatientsÌ main reasons for attending the clinic were lay recommendation, the need for treatment, convenience, free treatment, or the lack of access to a dentist. Some 30% said they did not have or did not know of an alternative source of dental care, and half had not seen a dentist for at least 2 years. The study demonstrates that despite difficulties related to attendance, a suitable patient base can be established offering students the opportunity to provide comprehensive care for adults in a primary care setting.

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