Interprofessional clinical training based in a federally qualified health center: a short report

ABSTRACT

A.T. Still University and HealthPoint, a federally qualified health center, worked together to develop novel interprofessional educational clinical experiences for dental and medical students. This short report is focused on evaluating outcomes related to student and patient experiences. Dental and medical faculty designed the program to be as hands on as possible while minimizing disruption to clinic flow. Second-year medical and fourth-year dental students worked together to assess the physical and oral health of the patients. One hundred forty-eight students participated. Of 429 total patients assessed, 83 were referred from the medical clinic to the dental clinic. Caries was present in 24.9% of patients. Overwhelmingly, the patients enjoyed having teams of students care for them. These types of clinical interprofessional experiences give students valuable opportunities to learn with, from, and about each other while providing hands-on care to patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Community health
• dental students
• interprofessional practice and education
• medical students
• oral health
• systemic health

Declaration of Interests

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration under Grant [number D85HP20045].

Notes on contributors

Scott E I Howell

Dr. Scott E I Howell: Director of Public Health Dentistry & Teledentistry, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA.

Chandani Shukla

Dr. Chandani Shukla: Student at time of project, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA.

Ruth Michaelis

Dr. Ruth Michaelis: Regional Director Medical Education Washington Campus, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, A.T. Still University, Renton, WA, USA.

Mindy Motahari

Dr. Mindy Motahari: Assistant Dean Comprehensive Care, Director of Interprofessional Education, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA.