SHINE Dentistry has commenced its first research project which will provide information about patient demographics and satisfaction with care. This student-led research project is supervised by Dr. Steven Patterson, a public health dental specialist, and information is being collected in the form of a survey after each patient has been treated. This information will help our students to see the impact that SHINE Dentistry is making in inner-city Edmonton, and help tell us how SHINE can improve its services logistically, such as deciding what days and times to have our clinic.
Our research will also help other students across Canada establish clinics similar to SHINE Dentistry. Currently, the Univeristy of Alberta is the only school in Canada that has a student-run free dental clinic for the less priviledged in their city. SHINE Dentistry can now be a model to other schools and this research will confirm its positive impact on our community. This research survey should be completed as of December 2008 and compiled by December 2009.