North Texas Dentistry Special Issue 2016 | Page 32

The New Interprofessionals by Tina Cauller T o better meet the needs of Americans, healthcare in the U.S. is moving toward a more patient-centered whole-health model that bridges the current gap separating healthcare disciplines through collaborative partnerships between multiple professionals. Texas contains some inspiring examples of what this important change can look like in action. A new emphasis on the whole-health team Innovative models of dental care are necessary to meet the growing needs of underserved Texans. The state of Texas is home to an estimated 27.5 million people, and nearly 5 million of them live in underserved communities with limited or no access to dental care. According to 2014 data from the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 1.5 million Texas residents reported that they had not received any dental care within the past twelve months. In these communities, poor oral health is often accompanied by unmet medical and psychosocial needs, and poor overall health. Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry is taking action to address this critical situation, and was recently awarded $5.4 million in funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand predoctoral and postdoctoral training. TAMBCD will embark on a new program of interprofessional training with the goal to integrate dentistry into the healthcare delivery system, while expanding 32 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com opportunities in dental education. The new program is a collaborative effort between TAMBCD, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas-area healthcare institutions and community partners. TAMBCD recently expanded its community-based clinical training by partnering with North Dallas Shared Ministries, a non-profit clinic that provides social and health services to low-income residents in key areas of the Metroplex. TAMBCD students now augment the care provided by other volunteers, which enabled the clinic to boost the volume of patients served from 479 patients in 2013 to 1,719 patients in 2014. North Dallas Shared Ministries strives to create a whole-health home for patients. At their appointment, patients receive a comprehensive assessment coordinated by a case manager to evaluate their overall health needs, including any pressing economic issues or behavioral health concerns. They receive medical and dental services, and may also see a social worker who helps connect them with other resources they need. Creating a whole-health home requires building a whole-health team of care providers. TAMBCD students participate in the interprofessional experience at the clinic, performing not just basic vital measurements like blood pressure and heart rate, but also conducting BMI, diabetes and cholesterol screenings. The dental students work in tandem with nutritionists, family medicine residents, medical students, physician assistant students and social workers from UT Southwestern Medical School.