Impact of community externships on the clinical performance of senior dental students.

This study examined the impact of community dental rotations on the clinical productivity of senior students when they returned to the dental school clinic. Data from two classes at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine were used to compare productivity pre- and post-externship experiences (continuous ten weeks), controlling for several confounding variables. The results indicated a statistically significant and clinically important increase in post-rotation student productivity and revenues. This study suggests that community clinic rotations could offset the loss of dental school revenues during the externship period.