Leavy P, Daly B. Educational outcomes associated with undergraduate dental education in primary care and community settings in Europe: findings from a rapid scoping review. Eur J Dent Educ 2025; DOI: 10.1111/eje.70004.

Increases confidence in diagnosis.

While most oral healthcare in Europe is provided in independent general practices, undergraduate dental education has traditionally been provided in a hospital or dental school setting. In recent decades, outreach or community-based dental education has been widely adopted, giving students opportunities to provide comprehensive care to adults and children from a local community.

Educational outcomes associated with outreach education include: increased confidence, treatment planning and staging; increased awareness of social and cultural circumstances of oral health; improved time management skills and increased productivity; developing communication skills, understanding of the importance of teamworking, gaining experience of the ‘business' of dentistry, including understanding of publicly funded systems, accounting and marketing; increased confidence in working independently.