Experienced general dental practitioners as clinical teachers: a qualitative study of their experience over the first three years as novice clinical teachers in an outreach setting

Introduction: Outreach training has become an important element of the undergraduate curriculum. Part time general dental practitioners (GDPs) are the professionals of choice to deliver this educational experience yet little work has been undertaken into this transition to clinical teaching.

Methods: Using a qualitative approach, a thematic analysis was undertaken of clinical teaching accounts written by three novice teachers. The setting was a large inner city outreach centre of the University of Portsmouth, teaching final year dental students from King's College London, in an integrated team care environment with dental hygiene therapy and dental nurse students.
Results: Three major themes were identified. These were: What is clinical dental education? Me as a “clinical teacher” and Specific teaching issues.

Discussion: The analysis of the written accounts brought together many issues that have been addressed separately in the literature. However, the themes highlighted the complexity of dental education and the different environment of the teaching clinic from general practice. Some of these themes in future could be discussed in small peer group seminars to facilitate an easier transition from experienced GDP to clinical teacher.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study the themes demonstrate the breadth and complexity of clinical education which is experienced in both dental schools and in outreach education.