Final-year Oral Health students spend five weeks on the TIPE programme based either at Waha Ora (Hauora Tairāwhiti DHB) or the Community School Dental Clinic in Wairoa.
As part of the TIPE programme students spend approximately three days a week on the Oral Health clinical placement, approximately one day is spent observing and working with other health professionals, and one day is spent in class / activity time or working on your group community education resource
Comments from previous Oral Health students on TIPE
What was it like learning with, from, and about other health professionals?
So far, the impact of working and learning within a multidisciplinary team has been very eye opening. From my point of view, the understanding behind theory and models and putting it into practice has been very prominent. Having an understanding of how an oral health practice works has given me a better understanding of the impact of healthy teeth for our tamariki and how that will impact their future development.
What did you wish you knew before you came on the TIPE program?
I wish I had not underestimated my skills and knowledge. I was very worried and scared that I would not know as much as the other students. I felt my profession was not at the same standard, but I was soon proven wrong. Each and every student has been nothing but transparent, open and non-judgmental: everyone sees each other as an equal. This has been a huge learning curve for me and has taught me to never underestimate what I have to offer
