IntermediateLEADERSHIP
You are asked to lead a small interprofessional team of students (for example, dental, hygiene, and other health disciplines) to plan an oral health outreach initiative for an underserved Manitoba community. How would you define the objectives, engage stakeholders, allocate tasks, and measure the success of the initiative?
Dental Student
General

Sample Answer

I’d start by co‑creating clear, measurable objectives with the team and community partners. For example: screen 80 children and 40 adults over one weekend, provide fluoride varnish to at least 75% of eligible patients, and connect 30 high‑risk patients to ongoing care in Winnipeg. To engage stakeholders, I’d meet early with the local health centre, school leaders, and a community elder to understand priorities, preferred hours, and cultural considerations, then adjust our plan accordingly. Within the team, I’d match tasks to strengths: hygiene students leading prevention stations, dental students handling exams and urgent care triage, and nursing/pharmacy students focusing on medical histories, vitals, and tobacco cessation. I’d use a simple shared checklist and 15‑minute huddles at the start and end of each day. Success would be measured with numbers screened, varnish rates, follow‑up appointments booked, and a short feedback survey; I’d aim for at least 90% of participants reporting they’d return or recommend the clinic.

Keywords

Co-create specific, measurable objectives with the communityEngage local leaders early to align with cultural and practical needsAllocate tasks based on each discipline’s strengths and use brief team huddlesMeasure outcomes with quantitative data and participant feedback