S.w.o.t. analysis for a pilot clinic to provide affordable oral health care to individuals with special needs

Background: The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) teaching clinic serves a broad range of patients, however individuals with special healthcare needs (ISHCN) are a specific population not well-represented in the patient pool. New accreditation standards for US dental schools with a greater emphasis on ISHCN experiences were implemented in January 2013. Subsequently, many academic institutions will need to create focused opportunities for dental students to work with ISHCN. The S.W.O.T. analysis of a 2012 pilot clinic focused on ISHCN, created by a student interest group and faculty mentor, may assist other institutions in planning similar experiences for dental students. Strengths: • Improving access to care for ISHCN • Increased confidence of graduates treating ISHCN. • Previous research has shown dentists who perceived receiving good quality training in managing ISCHN were more confident in treating ISHCN and more likely to treat them in their careers. The pilot clinic hopes to address this issue. Weaknesses: • Sustainability for an affordable special needs outreach clinic • A systematic, inexpensive and repeatable approach to recruit patients with ISHCN is necessary. An effective method has notbeen determined. • Reliable screening methods to ensure that only ISHCN are booking appointments. Opportunities: - Student leadership development - Curriculum integration- Dental students should be required to demonstrate competence in the treatment of ISHCN in order to gain clinical experience and improve oral health access to care for ISHCN. Threats: • Finding willing and capable supervising dentists with necessary expertise • Indemnity insurance for supervising pre-doctoral students