On Oct. 24, 2019, U.S.
universities gathered in Denver, CO, for a symposium addressing best global
service-learning practices. The symposium was organized with the intent of
facilitating better communication and networking between faculty doing similar
work at separate schools, discussing methods and goals to attempt agreement on
best practices, raising the ethical bar in global oral health service learning
that may influence those doing similar work in non-academic settings and sharing
passions that drive the leaders of this field.
The attendees heard keynote
presentations delivered by two significant and influential players in global
oral health academics and global health policy. The symposium started with an
insightful talk by Brittany Seymour, D.D.S., M.P.H., from Harvard School of
Dental Medicine on “Amending the Headless Heart: Toward Evidence-based Global Service-learning
Programs in Dental Education.” Using the story of her successes and failures that
formed her path, as well as referencing the “headless heart” analogy taken from
The Bottom Billion (written by Paul Collier), Dr. Seymour’s address
motivated the audience to be cognizant of power dynamics and longitudinal
effects on communities when serving abroad. Her address equally pushed the
audience to be aware of demographics that must influence team goals, to strive
for change over time and to expand the student learning experience beyond just
specific treatment experiences. Her talk ended with an impactful quote by Maya
Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better,
do better.”
In the afternoon, the second
keynote was delivered by Habib Benzian, D.D.S., M.S.C.D.P.H., Ph.D., who lives
in Berlin, Germany; works for NYU College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry); and
consults globally on oral health government policy. In his talk, “Ethics of Short-term
Experiences in Global Health,” Dr. Benzian used both public health data from
around the world and humorous videos to help attendees understand the
importance of having appropriate effects on communities, which led to a discussion
of upriver effects in contrast with the endless line of individuals needing
treatment. He also emphasized the importance of all service learning programs,
academic or non-governmental organizations (NGO), prioritizing collaboration
with host community health officers to determine community need. A concluding
explanation of the World Health Organization’s 2030 Sustainable Development
Goals enabled symposium participants to understand the collective long-term
vision of all working in this field.
Aside from the keynote
presentations, the two days were filled with breakout sessions on multiple
subjects, followed by productive group discussions allowing all to voice broad
subjects of interest or concern. The organizing members did not assume
attendees would gain answers to all of their questions; rather, the symposium
facilitated further questioning and discussion, thereby equipping attendees
with more knowledge and a greater network of friends and colleagues to address
these questions.
The first day included a panel
discussion on “What is Your Why? Defining Your Purpose and Goals.” Sunny
Fereshteh, D.D.S., from University of Southern California moderated the panel,
which included Rachel Hill, M.P.H., from NYU Dentistry; Luiz Pimenta, D.D.S., M.S.,
Ph.D., from University of North Carolina; and Carlos Gonzalez-Cabezas, D.D.S.,
M.S.D., Ph.D., from University of Michigan. They each used a description of
their schools’ global programs to tell about the journeys they had from “just
doing” (the What) to setting goals (the Why). Each panelist shared learning
lessons that ultimately led to change. All three schools have grown to include
service, education and research in their program goals, and each school has a
unique approach to incorporating travel and service in their educational
programming. Attendees were not led to repeat any of these schools’ academic
outlines, but instead were encouraged to be original in their search for adding
“Why” to their “What.”
One group discussion included
an examination of terms used to address this entire subject matter. Included in
descriptive words were global service learning, international service learning,
global initiatives, mission trips, community outreach, community impact
programs, international volunteer programs, enrichment programs and domestic
and international initiatives. Connotations and biases included in different
terms were shared, but no final consensus on a “best” descriptive term was
reached. Hopefully, a broader understanding of others’ perspectives was met.
“Financing and Sustainability
in Your Program,” a breakout session led by Stuart Hirsch, D.D.S., from NYU,
was well attended. Dr. Hirsch discussed financial needs to run school GSL
programs as well as methods to look for non-university money sources, such as
corporate and alumni approaches or scholarship, gifting and unique socially
responsible partnerships. He also shared how and where he “tells the story” to
keep people involved and allow others to understand the challenges.
Another well-attended session
addressed “Legal, Insurance, Security & Risk Management.” Together, Mike
Leibowitz and Will Huser from NYU discussed how they support the GSL program
from a university perspective. In a pre-meeting survey, this group of concerns
were indicated as a significant interest. In a 2016 report from the American Dental
Association Foundation addressing this, multiple people responded that their
university did not have GSL programs due to concern over security, insurance or
other risk management. While many attendees did have support from their
universities similar to that discussed by Leibowitz and Huser, other attendees
gained insight on how this process may be presented to their respective university
support systems.
“Impact, Evaluation &
Research” facilitated by Jenny Park, M.P.H., from NYU had participants
discussing output data, monitoring versus evaluating, pre- and post-trip
surveys and continuity of patient data. In addition, consent forms for minors
were discussed along with photo image policies. Program impact definitions varied
by school while some admitted that project and exit strategies are not always
well defined.
Eve Cuny, M.S., from
University of the Pacific led a session on “Field Operations for Clinical Programs:
Site Logistics, Protocols, Infection Control, Equipment & Supplies.” She
shared her experiences at organizing and overseeing programs at UoP, but also
from her leadership with the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention
(OSAP). “Program Design and Logistics” was addressed by Rachel Hill, M.P.H.,
from NYU.
On Friday morning, other
sessions offered included “Participant Roles and Oversight for an Effective Team”
by Carmen Dielman, D.H.Sc., LDH, from Indiana University, South Bend, and
“Developing Partnerships to ensure success” by Elizabeth Shick, D.D.S., M.P.H.,
from University of Colorado. Each facilitator brought their personal experiences
to their group, yet they allowed the group discussion to move the conversations
within their intended subjects. With intention, the sessions allowed each
participant to hear perspectives in areas of their interest, discover alternate
ways to address similar challenges, meet people who shared common passions and
make friends that will allow future networking.
The final day closed with a
full group wrap-up and closing remarks by Dr. Seymour. During the wrap-up, it
was proposed that, if interest exists, another meeting like this should be
organized soon. As this meeting addressed university faculty perspectives and
suggested finding common best practices that might be first set by academia, a
subsequent meeting might invite faculty from outside of the United States, NGO
representatives and/or other interested parties. In the meantime, email threads
between participants can discuss ethical standards, collaborations between
sharing hosts or locations, mentoring between experienced and first-time
programs, experience using equipment or supplies, financing ideas or insurance
research. Dr. Seymour closed by coming full circle with her story of trying to
do good but learning that doing good was a difficult target to aim for. She
included the popularly quoted Steve Jobs piece, “The Crazy Ones,” which
finishes with, “Because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change
the world are the ones who do.” A toast to the crazy ones!
Courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Steele,
D.D.S., Indiana University School of Dentistry
Published on Feb. 12, 2020