New Ideas Session

Educational Programs, Workshops, Seminars, New Idea Session, and Small Group Discussions

EI-403 - Community Engagement: Igniting Community and Social Responsibility

Presenter(s)

• DC

  Deidre Callanan, RDH, D.C., M.P.H.

  University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Target Audience: Faculty

Learning Focus: Emerging Issues and Trends

Session Designation: SOTL

Dental Education: Public Health Dentistry  

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine has developed a new core course for first-year students that combines didactic and experiential learning sessions. The coursework will increase students' knowledge of and interactions with underserved populations and the organizations that serve those populations. The course provides an opportunity for a substantive change in the way that students understand social justice, health equity and public health, instilling the concept that all people share a common humanity and should receive care. The course aims to provide the foundation for continued and greater involvement in the community after graduation.

Learning Objectives:

• To explain the importance and need for dentists to increase role onto the community.
• To state the importance of experiential learning sessions for an in-depth understanding of the community.
• To convey and apply strategies that can be incorporated in first year dental school curriculum to increase student’s knowledge, confidence, and desire to increase access to care to all populations.