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.