Global Citizenship in clinical training: A qualitative study evaluating a Co-creation Approach to Community Oral Health Interventions

TY - JOUR

T1 - Global Citizenship in clinical training

T2 - A qualitative study evaluating a Co-creation Approach to Community Oral Health Interventions

AU - Hussaini, Mahdi

AU - Rodriguez, Andrea

AU - Seeballuck, Clement

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). European Journal of Dental Education published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2025/11/14

Y1 - 2025/11/14

N2 - Introduction Oral health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, impacting general health, psychological health and quality of life. Vulnerable groups often face higher rates of oral health problems, exacerbating inequalities. This study evaluates the effectiveness of student-delivered oral health interventions with these groups using a co-creation approach. Materials and Methods A qualitative study was conducted with 19 participants comprising dental students from the Dundee Dental Connect (DDC) project, their supervisors and third sector practitioners/managers working with vulnerable populations in Scotland. Online focus groups were conducted followed by thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. Results Seven major themes emerged from the analysis: enhanced student competence and confidence, support structures and training, evolving attitudes towards marginalised groups, community interaction, student engagement, challenges in community engagement and project sustainability. Students reported improved communication skills, confidence and clinical application, with co-creation fostering empathy and emphasizing preventive dentistry. Discussion The findings highlight the benefits of co-creation in student-delivered oral health interventions and dental education, enhancing student self-efficacy and professional competencies when engaging with underserved populations. Challenges including language barriers were addressed through adaptability and mentorship. The study also underscores the importance of sustainable resource management and broader outreach to tackle health inequalities. Conclusion The DDC project demonstrates the positive impact of co-creation in dental education, fostering competencies and empathy among students, and preparing them to address oral health disparities in different settings. This approach strengthens community partnerships and equips future professionals with the skills to promote sustainable, equity-driven oral healthcare.

AB - Introduction Oral health plays a crucial role in overall well-being, impacting general health, psychological health and quality of life. Vulnerable groups often face higher rates of oral health problems, exacerbating inequalities. This study evaluates the effectiveness of student-delivered oral health interventions with these groups using a co-creation approach. Materials and Methods A qualitative study was conducted with 19 participants comprising dental students from the Dundee Dental Connect (DDC) project, their supervisors and third sector practitioners/managers working with vulnerable populations in Scotland. Online focus groups were conducted followed by thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. Results Seven major themes emerged from the analysis: enhanced student competence and confidence, support structures and training, evolving attitudes towards marginalised groups, community interaction, student engagement, challenges in community engagement and project sustainability. Students reported improved communication skills, confidence and clinical application, with co-creation fostering empathy and emphasizing preventive dentistry. Discussion The findings highlight the benefits of co-creation in student-delivered oral health interventions and dental education, enhancing student self-efficacy and professional competencies when engaging with underserved populations. Challenges including language barriers were addressed through adaptability and mentorship. The study also underscores the importance of sustainable resource management and broader outreach to tackle health inequalities. Conclusion The DDC project demonstrates the positive impact of co-creation in dental education, fostering competencies and empathy among students, and preparing them to address oral health disparities in different settings. This approach strengthens community partnerships and equips future professionals with the skills to promote sustainable, equity-driven oral healthcare.

KW - co-creation

KW - dental education

KW - oral health inequalities

KW - vulnerable groups

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105021813359

U2 - 10.1111/eje.70076

DO - 10.1111/eje.70076

M3 - Article

C2 - 41237303

SN - 1396-5883

JO - European Journal of Dental Education

JF - European Journal of Dental Education

ER -