On October 17, 2014, Eileen Wuerthele, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner student at Bouvé College of Health Sciences presented two posters on behalf of Innovations in Interprofessional Oral Health at the 2014 New Hampshire Oral Health Forum. The posters, titled Understanding Oral Health Equity Through Cultural Humility and Teaming in Primary Care: An Interprofessional Education Faculty Toolkit, tied nicely into the theme of the improving health via medical and dental pathways. The forum was attended by 125 people, all of whom had diverse backgrounds but common interest in improving the oral health of NH citizens. It was noted that last year, this forum drew only 50 people.
The Keynote Speaker, Marko Vujicic Ph. D., Managing Vice President, Health Policy Resource Center, American Dental Association utilized the process of looking back, evaluating the present and looking into the future to present the approach all parties should take when addressing the oral health needs of our nation.
Margaret Snow, DMD, MBA, MPH, Dental Director, Office of Medicaid Business and Policy described the NH 1115 Medical Waiver and stressed that, if passed, it could be the prototype for a national consensus statement regarding Oral Health during Pregnancy.
After lunch, a panel of 4 individuals presented brief descriptions of how they are involved in improving oral health in NH. A dental hygienist who works in long term care facilities described how this population is suffering greatly from periodontal disease. A representative from New Hampshire Institute of Technology informed the audience about a program established in 2012 titled Certified Public Health Dental Hygienist, which allows Registered Dental Hygienists to work in alternative settings. The program director for Molar Express, a mobile dental unit that serves school children in remote areas of the North Country outlined the successes of that project. A dentist spoke about the Concord Dental Sealant Coalition that with the cooperation of interprofessional cooperation is decreasing the number of Early Childhood Carries by placing dental sealants on underprivileged children in the capital area.
A second panel, which was comprised of a family doctor, a dentist, an obstetrician and a registered dental hygienist, explored ways in which Medical-Dental integration currently is and potentially can impact the oral health of all. Key areas addressed were the importance of establishing a dental home for children by their 1st birthday; the role that community health centers can play in assuring that the underserved access oral health care; and the importance of treating pregnant women for their periodontal disease before they can transfer this burden to their babies.
The meeting adjourned and attendees left energized and eager to take their particular talents and improve oral health in NH.
Learn more about the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition by visiting their website: http://nhoralhealth.org.
No Comments