Dental undergraduate students' perceptions about placements in primary dental care during the undergraduate dental curriculum: a qualitative evidence synthesis

Introduction: The General Dental Council has advised that undergraduate dental students spend time in primary care, with their experiences evaluated. A systematic review of medical students' primary care placements has been performed but no similar review of dental students is present. This review aimed to synthesise reported opinions of UK dental students on their placements in primary care.

Methods: Medline, Embase, Education Resources Information Center and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for qualitative data studies involving UK dental students who had been on placement during training. The qualitative Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidance was used to appraise studies and a best fit framework synthesis employed.

Results: Students generally portrayed positive accounts of placements. Themes relating to learning environment, support for learning, real world dentistry, preparation for practice life and competing cultures were developed.

Discussion: Students thrived when hierarchy between themselves and their supervisors was flattened but the competing cultures of the dental hospital and placements appear to be an area that needs addressing. There are vast differences in the placements being offered.

Conclusions: Undergraduates mostly enjoy and value their time on placement; however, further research in the area is needed to explore the different kinds of placements available and to inform policy on providing effective training.