The change that lies ahead: teaching the history of dentistry with rare materials

Abstract

Background: All year one dental students (105) have a two hour history of dentistry class as part of their professionalism course. In 2022 the course director invited the dental librarian and curators of the health sciences rare book collection to develop a new direction for this class. The librarian and curators wanted the class to be an engaging, relevant, active learning session for the students. They created a novel approach where groups of students engaged with historical materials. Class objectives were to understand dentistry’s past, present, and future; juxtapose history and progress; and reflect on the past and one’s place in dentistry.

Description: The dental librarian collaborated with the course director to identify current themes in the dental literature to explore in class, including oral/systemic health; disparities; diversity, equity and inclusion; technology; consumerism; and oral healthcare settings. Curators from the rare books library identified over 100 print materials and artifacts from the late 19th and early 20th century related to the themes. Students were divided into groups of 8-10 and rotated through six themed tables using a World Cafe methodology. Each table had rare materials relevant to that theme and questions for the students to discuss. Questions were provided on large post-it notes and a Google form to provide multiple options for responding. Groups were asked to think about and discuss the questions within the context of the materials and the contemporary theme they were paired with. Thoughts were recorded on the post-it notes or entered into the Google form. An optional Qualtrics survey was distributed at the end of class to gauge their interest in the themes discussed, reflections of working with rare materials, if the class enhanced their understanding of the history of dentistry, and how the themes applied to their education and future as a dental practitioner.

Conclusion: 80% (84/105) students responded to an optional Qualtrics survey. Results showed that the class stimulated students' interest in the history of dentistry, that they learned something new, they were going to share what they learned in the class, and that engaging with historical materials provided a different way of learning history. An open-ended question prompted students to reflect on the session and how it would apply to their education and future as a dental practitioner. Students made connections between the history of dentistry and evidence-based practice. This class presents a model that librarians can use to actively engage students and learners with historical themes in the health sciences, encouraging students to consider ways of improving future dental practice.