{"id":1165,"date":"2022-03-04T00:25:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T00:25:06","guid":{"rendered":"\/dentistry\/?post_type=program&#038;p=1165"},"modified":"2025-08-07T19:23:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T19:23:11","slug":"clinical-experiences","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"\/dentistry\/programs\/academic-programs\/clinical-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinical Experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"hero-secondary\">\n  <div class=\"relative bg-black\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"adhere object-cover\" src=\"\/media\/dentistry\/images\/care-harbor-fairplex.jpg\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"WesternU played a large role in Care Harbor Fairplex, a free mega-clinic\">\n      <div class=\"adhere gradient-overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"relative container pt-56 md:pt-112 pb-144 md:pb-192\">\n      <div class=\"md:flex md:justify-between px-12\">\n        <div class=\"sm:w-8\/12 md:w-6\/12 xl:w-5\/12 px-12\">\n                      <div class=\"mb-20\">\n              <div class=\"block font-sans font-bold text-14 text-white leading-130\">\n  <span class=\"inline-block\">\n    <a href=\"\/\" class=\"block hover:underline\">WesternU<\/a>\n  <\/span>\n      <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">College of Dental Medicine<\/a>\n          <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n      <a href=\"\/dentistry\/programs\/academic-programs\/\" class=\"inline-block hover:underline\">Academic Programs<\/a>\n    <span class=\"inline-block mx-6\">\/<\/span>\n    <span class=\"inline-block\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>            <\/div>\n                                        <h1 class=\"t-h1-sans  text-white\"><\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-start\">\n              <div class=\"w-full lg:w-5\/12 2xl:w-4\/12 -mt-80 md:-mt-112 mb-48 px-12 lg:pr-32\">\n                              <nav class=\"py-28 px-40 2xl:px-64 rounded-5 md:rounded-8 bg-gray-darker text-white mb-40\">\n            <ul>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"\/dentistry\/programs\/academic-programs\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Academic Programs<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"\/dentistry\/programs\/academic-programs\/curriculum\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Curriculum<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                              <li class=\"block my-8\">\n                  <a class=\"text-22 font-normal leading-130 tracking-20 text-white hover:text-yellow transition-default\" href=\"\/dentistry\/programs\/academic-programs\/clinical-experiences\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinical Experiences<\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                          <\/ul>\n          <\/nav>\n                            <\/div>\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content lg:w-7\/12 2xl:w-7\/12\">\n        <h2>Clinical Experiences offer hands-on training in a variety of settings with diverse populations. Hallmarks of your WesternU clinical curriculum include:<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Early direct patient care<\/strong>\u00a0integrated with the acquisition of foundational knowledge and clinical skills in the first two years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early service learning opportunities<\/strong>\u00a0in a variety of community-based locations in the first two years, emphasizing how to meet the needs of the community through assessment, education, and preventive programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\" id=\"experiential-learning\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"lg:flex px-12 lg:justify-center\">\n      \n      \n                  \n                  \n      <div class=\"w-full px-24 wysiwyg-content xl:w-10\/12 2xl:w-9\/12\">\n        <ul>\n<li><strong>Preclinical simulation<\/strong>\u00a0that allows you to develop foundational clinical skills through a multidisciplinary approach across all traditional dental disciplines.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focusing on oral-systemic connections\u00a0<\/strong>by integrating dental students into the\u00a0human systems courses in the first two years, advanced case-based seminars and inter-professional clinical rotations in the last two years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unique inter-professional curriculum<\/strong>\u00a0featuring case-based learning with small groups of students from several other WesternU health science programs, so you will learn how to work together for patient\u2019s best interest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Patient-centered WesternU dental clinic<\/strong>\u00a0where as a student \u201cassociate\u201d you work with faculty mentors to best meet the needs of patients by emphasizing low student-to-faculty ratios, short appointments, and increased opportunities for 4-handed dentistry in a new clinic with state-of-the-art equipment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Extensive Community-based clinical education<\/strong>\u00a0in a variety of locations in southern California and the region, where you will provide oral health care for diverse populations using a variety of delivery models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<section class=\"relative my-48 md:my-72\" vue-app>\n  <div class=\"container\">\n        <app-accordion class=\"px-24 lg:w-4\/5 mx-auto\">\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Clinical Curriculum Structure\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <ul>\n<li><strong>D1 Fall\/Spring\/Summer Terms (48 weeks)<\/strong> \u2013 Students complete four core basic science courses ensuring foundational knowledge and then transition to the CDM taught human systems courses, typically 24 hours each week. Two to four afternoons per week are focused on clinical sciences, including foundational dental clinical knowledge, and dental clinical skills acquisition in a simulated setting. Students participate in community service learning in the formal curriculum, as well as offhours through student clubs and organizations. In the D1 summer term, students enter clinic and participate in early clinical experiences that are preventative in nature.<\/li>\n<li><strong>D2 Fall\/ Spring\/ Summer Terms (48 weeks)<\/strong> \u2013 Students continue with the human systems, primarily taking place in morning sessions. Afternoons will continue to be focused on clinical sciences in simulated and direct patient care settings, with increased participation in community service learning. In the D2 Summer Term, the students have their first direct patient care experiences in the Dental Center. Students will spend 32 hours\/week in simulated and direct patient care activities focusing on the hard and soft tissue surgical skills of the dentist, along with clinical sciences didactic sessions in the summer session.<\/li>\n<li><strong>D3 and D4 Years (86 weeks)<\/strong> \u2013 Continuing in the D3 Fall term, students will spend approximately 32 hours\/week in direct patient care, both on campus at the Dental Center and in the Community-Based Clinic Network. Each student will participate in two community-based clinical care rotations of 7 weeks duration. During the D3 and D4 year, students will also participate in advanced integrated clinical seminars and pursue clinical research opportunities. The students will take the written Integrated National Board Dental Exam during the D4 Fall Term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Experiential Learning\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/experiential-learning\/\">Experiential learning<\/a> at WesternU CDM ranges from inside and outside the four-walls of WesternU Health \u2013 The Dental Center. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/experiential-learning\/\">Explore more about the different experiential learning<\/a> environments and delivery methodologies to improve the oral and overall health of the community.<\/p>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Clinical Partners and Affiliated Sites \n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.emcsd.org\/\">El Monte City School District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtviewschools.com\">Mountain View School District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/proudtobe.pusd.org\">Pomona Unified School District<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phfewic.org\/\">Public Health Foundation Women, Infants, and Children Program (PHFE WIC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sgvfdh.com\/\">San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sgprc.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/boysrepublic.org\/who-we-are\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Boys Republic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sosc.org\/healthyathletes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Special Olympics Southern California<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n              <app-accordion-item class=\"accordion-group block leading-1 opt-1\" content-class=\"accordion-group__panel wysiwyg-content\">\n          <template #accordion-trigger=\"{ href, visible, setRef, clickHandler }\">\n            <a :href=\"'#' + href\" \n              :ref=\"setRef\"\n              :class=\"['accordion-group__button scroll-mt-160', {'accordion__trigger_active': visible}]\"\n              @click.stop.prevent=\"clickHandler\"\n            >\n            <span class=\"block py-10\">\n              Affiliated Externship and Specialty Rotation Sites\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"accordion-group-icon relative flex w-56 h-56 ml-20 justify-center items-center bg-black rounded-full flex-shrink-0\">\n                            <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-down\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0l192-192c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L256 338.7 86.6 169.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3l192 192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n              <span class=\"w-16 icon-chevron-up\">\n                <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><!--!Font Awesome Free 6.6.0 by @fontawesome - https:\/\/fontawesome.com License - https:\/\/fontawesome.com\/license\/free Copyright 2024 Fonticons, Inc.--><path d=\"M233.4 105.4c12.5-12.5 32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L256 173.3 86.6 342.6c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3l192-192z\"\/><\/svg>\n              <\/span>\n                          <\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/template>\n          <template #accordion-content>\n            <ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/asianhealthservices.org\/care-and-services\/#dental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asian Health Services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bach.health\/dental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bay Area Community Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.camarenahealth.org\/\">Camarena Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/clinicaromero.com\/\">Cl\u00ednica Monse\u00f1or Oscar A. Romero<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communityhealthcenters.org\/\">Community Health Centers of the Central Coast<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/healthysmilesoc.org\/\">Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hillcountryclinic.org\/services\/#dental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hill Country Health and Wellness Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jwchinstitute.org\/\">John Wesley Community Health Institute, Inc.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lachc.com\/\">Los Angeles Christian Health Centers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/omnifamilyhealth.org\/\">Omni Family Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pvhmc.org\/\">Pomona Valley Hospital and Medical Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/riversidefreeclinic.com\/en\/\">Riverside Free Clinic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snahc.org\/\">Sacramento Native American Health Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shastahealth.org\/\">Shasta Community Health Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbchc.com\/\">South Bay Children\u2019s Health Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tananachiefs.org\/health\/dental\/\">Tanana Chief&#8217;s Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toiyabe.us\/\">Toiyabe Indian Health Project, Inc.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ummaclinic.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UMMA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n          <\/template>\n        <\/app-accordion-item>\n          <\/app-accordion>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"parent":1153,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-1165","program","type-program","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/1165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/1165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3099,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/1165\/revisions\/3099"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/1153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stagewp.westernu.edu\/dentistry\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}