Is dentistry at risk? A case for interprofessional education

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Practice
• Oral Health Care

Background:

• Growing awareness of oral-systemic health links and an aging population necessitate collaborative care models.
• The shift towards chronic disease management and disparities in oral care access highlight the need for integrated health services.
• The U.S. Surgeon General's 2000 report spurred dialogue on interprofessional education (IPE) in dentistry, yet significant changes remain elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the extent of change in interprofessional education (IPE) for dental students since the 2000 Surgeon General's report.
• To advocate for proactive leadership from academic and organized dentistry in advancing IPE.
• To explore the necessity of IPE, dentistry's role in addressing oral health disparities, and strategies for implementation.

Main Methods:

• Position paper analyzing the current state of IPE in dental education.
• Review of existing IPE models and alternative approaches.
• Identification of barriers to IPE implementation and proposal of strategies.

Main Results:

• Despite increased dialogue, dental education has shown minimal adaptation in preparing students for interprofessional practice.
• Academic and organized dentistry have not sufficiently led or demanded the integration of IPE.
• Significant barriers hinder the widespread adoption of effective IPE programs in dental schools.

Conclusions:

• Dental students are inadequately prepared for collaborative practice due to insufficient IPE integration.
• Urgent leadership from academic and organized dentistry is crucial to drive IPE initiatives.
• Implementing IPE is essential for dentistry to address the oral health care crisis and improve patient outcomes.