14 - Increasing Access to Care Through Community and Dental School Partnerships

Millions of Americans live in health professional shortage areas while only a small percentage of graduates report intent to work in public health clinics (5% in 2017). To help address these challenges over the past two decades, U.S. dental schools have included and continue to expand community-based dental education (CBDE) programs which place dental students and specialty residents in extramural clinics to deliver care in underserved communities.
In 2018, the University of California, School of Dentistry (UCLA SOD) launched a new community-based clinical education (CBCE) program. The aim of this program is to enhance students’ education while increasing access to care for underserved populations in a sustainable manner. Dental school trainees gain valuable clinical experiences in treating diverse populations and a unique first-hand experience in “the real world” while still receiving guidance from mentors and faculty. Affiliate clinics gain a renewable student workforce, opportunities for dental provider recruitment and access to professional development and continuing education through the affiliated university. Underserved populations gain an increase in available dental providers along with the possibility to add specialty services through a school’s residency programs. The UCLA SOD program has implemented CBCE rotations at 17 different community clinics where dental students, pediatric dentistry residents and endodontic residents have delivered care for over 19,000 unique patients. UCLA SOD has helped other dental schools implement or expand their programs through collaborative efforts and data sharing. This session will discuss opportunities for schools and community clinics to strengthen partnerships for expanding health services for underserved populations.