Explaining Dental Students’ Experiences of Community-based Education: A Qualitative Study through Students’ Reflection Writings

Evidence indicates that the customary way of teaching is not enough to improve students' skill and competence after graduation. This study aimed to explain the experiences of Dentistry students in relation to community-based education (education in the field), which was done through written reflection by the students.

This study was carried out embracing qualitative approach in the academic year. 28 senior dentistry students according to the preplanned program visited the comprehensive centers of rural health in Gorgan, Golestan, Iran. At the end of the semester, students were asked to write their reflection on the outcomes of education in the field. The conventional qualitative content analysis was performed with the aim of extracting the experiences and views of students from the examination and management of oral mucosal lesions in the field.

Data analysis led to the extraction of 72 initial code concepts, the two main categories of "obtaining clinical experiences, gaining non-clinical experiences" and four sub-categories including "improving clinical skills, enhancing emotional / attitudinal skills, improving the skills of individual communication, and understanding the importance of organizational interaction”.

The education in the field, along with traditional teaching methods can significantly increase students' learning ability and thus provide better quality services and promote community oral and dental health.