An Interprofessional Approach to Exploring the Social Determinants of Health with Dental Hygiene Students

J Allied Health. 2016 Fall;45(3):e43-7.

Abstract

The University of Michigan (U-M) Dental Hygiene Program collaborated with the U-M School of Social Work in developing a course entitled "Skills for Patient- and Family-Centered Care with Diverse Populations." Drawing upon disciplines including dentistry, social work, psychology, and sociology, this course transformed mandatory outreach rotations in safety-net dental settings from a freestanding senior-year experience to an integrated part of the dental hygiene curriculum. The course provided a space in which to discuss the interpersonal aspects of patient care, particularly those related to the social determinants of health. Among the students, a broad range of emotions, frustrations, and hopes were evident, suggesting that there is a need for forums through which students can connect their affective experiences to their practice of patient-centered care. While the course was designed for bachelor's level dental hygiene students, the content and process presented in this paper may be of interest to faculty housed within any allied health professional program, because core themes such as social justice, service-learning, and self-reflection transcend all health professions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Curriculum*
  • Dental Hygienists / education*
  • Education, Dental
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations*
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Social Determinants of Health*
  • Students*