Addressing oral health equity through community service-learning and person-centered care in Ontario: patient and provider perspectives.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the influence of the Community Service-Learning (CSL) program at Schulich Dentistry on the experiences and perceptions of patients and healthcare providers (HCP) at the Oxford County Community Health Centre (OCCHC) in Ontario, Canada. The CSL program aimed to address the oral health needs of equity-deserving populations and provide dental learners with experiential, community-based training. A qualitative research methodology using a Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) framework was employed. Data was collected through one-on-one interviews with 21 patients and six HCPs at the OCCHC. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. As a result, five main themes were identified, with overlap between patients and HCPs. Two major themes emerged f

SUBMITTER: Jessani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12513611 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature