(PO-064) "Preventistry" Student Projects: Teaching Innovations for First-year Dental Students

Author: Amy Martin – Chair & Professor, Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Secondary Author: Patrick Kunzler, Dental Student – Dental Student, Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Author: Shane McCarty, Dental Student – Dental Student, Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Author: Conrad Trimble, Dental Student – Dental Student, Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
Submitter: Amy Martin – Chair & Professor, Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine

Objectives: The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine made modifications to the required Preventive Dentistry course in 2020 to accommodate the unique learning environment presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The objective of these modifications was to ensure learners were able to demonstrate competencies in a virtual classroom, using innovative and critical thinking to plan a 'preventistry' initiative for future practice.


Methods: Preventistry is a model developed by DentaQuest in 2018 to address oral health improvements.  It is organized around four pillars:  Care, Value, Innovation, and Transformation.  Students were required to develop a  ‘Preventistry’ Project,  in groups of three. Their projects included a service, campaign, or program for use in their future practice.  It was required to prioritize prevention for the communities they serve.  They were required to design both a service delivery strategy and a business plan for its implementation.  Students were required to use technology, such as video, an escape room, or some other online visual tool, to educate their communities on a prevention priority  and why it is important for advancing oral health.  A judging panel of faculty and industry experts was assembled to identify the best project using a grading rubric criteria.  The winning project team was promised their work would be submitted to the Annual Conference of the American Dental Education Association. 

Results: Twenty-five 'Preventistry' Projects were submitted with the top score going to students who develop a tobacco cessation smartphone app for future patients.  Their design included evidence-based protocols for facilitating smoking cessation such as daily behavior tracking, one-on-one coaching, and modification tips.  The app also used communication tools so they (as future dentists) could reach out personally to their patients to encourage their patients.

Conclusion: The addition of 'Preventistry' projects inspired advanced applications of learning and codification of competencies among our students.