Implementing social prescribing in dentistry: perspectives from community organisations

Aims Social prescribing is a collaborative approach in which health professionals connect patients with community organisations to improve their health and wellbeing. Before implementing it in dentistry, it is essential to understand how community organisations perceive partnering with dental professionals. Our objective was to explore how community organisations perceive social prescribing and its implementation in dentistry.Methods We conducted a qualitative descriptive study in Montreal, Canada, based on 12 semi-structured interviews with key informants from local community organisations. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.Results Participants valued social prescribing and considered it pertinent in dentistry, noting that oral health is influenced by social issues that community organisations are well positioned to address. However, they expressed concerns about dentists' readiness to implement social prescribing, citing limited empathy and time to understand patients. They also believed that patients may distrust dentists and be reluctant to disclose personal information. Finally, participants worried that community organisations' financial insecurity could hinder their ability to provide services to referred individuals.Conclusions Although community organisations are eager to partner with dentists, they need to be better supported financially to respond to increasing service demands, and their concerns about dentists' readiness need to be addressed.