Changes in Dental Students’ Perceptions and Educational Outcomes through Wheelchair Training: An Approach to Understanding the Perspectives of Wheelchair Users

In an aging population, it is necessary for dentists to develop a thorough understanding of the physical and psychological limitations experienced by wheelchair users. This study enrolled 94 first-year dental students who participated in wheelchair training incorporating challenging experiences, such as self-propulsion, assisted propulsion, navigating steps, and being pulled backward. The educational effectiveness of this training was evaluated using text mining methods (i.e., keyword association analysis). Analysis revealed that before training, expectations centered on acquiring operational skills; however, post training responses were dominated by keywords such as “challenging”, “difficult” and “inconvenient”. In addition to recognizing physical challenges, students increasingly referred to psychological aspects of wheelchair use, including users’ anxiety and fear, following these experiences. Students redefined wheelchairs not merely mobility devices but as essential tools supporting daily life while also recognizing the importance of “emotional care”, e.g., verbal communication and maintaining eye contact. This training may be a useful educational approach for promoting awareness of wheelchair users’ perspectives.