The Oral Health Care Manager in a Patient-Centered Health Facility

Area of Science:

• Oral health
• Interprofessional healthcare
• Healthcare management

Background:

• Dental hygienists often work in interprofessional teams but may not practice to their full scope.
• Opportunities exist for dental hygienists to expand their role in patient-centered care.
• Integration of oral and primary care is a growing area in health services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the opportunity for dental hygienists to serve as oral health care managers.
• To describe a model for interprofessional practice with dental hygienists in a management role.
• To evaluate the feasibility of dental hygienists as oral health care managers.

Main Methods:

• Development of an innovative model based on collaboration between colleges of dentistry and nursing.
• Defining the role of the dental hygienist as an oral health care manager.
• Conducting pilot studies to assess the feasibility of this model.

Main Results:

• Pilot studies suggest the feasibility of the dental hygienist as an oral health care manager.
• The model facilitates continuity and coordination of comprehensive patient care.
• Dental hygienists can manage referrals and follow-up for oral and primary care issues.

Conclusions:

• A dental hygienist can lead the integration of oral and primary care as an oral health care manager.
• Management skills and leadership are crucial for coordinating comprehensive health care.
• This role enhances patient-centered care by coordinating necessary providers.