How can short‐term experiences in global health shape dental students' professional identity?

PROBLEMDental educators are increasingly interested in fostering Professional Identity Formation (PIF) in their students.Dental students desire engagement in short-term experiences in global health (STEGHs). 1How can we design educational opportunities and strategies to help students "think, act and feel" like a dentist 2 through critical reflection on these experiences? SOLUTIONIn 2023, 12 third-and fourth-year dental students from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry participated in STEGHs in the Dominican Republic.Prior to the programs, the students viewed a learning module from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Global Health Starter Kit, 3 completed self-check questions, and participated in a discussion seminar.After participation, the students responded to reflection questions 4 (Table 1).A thematic analysis of the responses assessed areas of PIF.