Recorded presentation

Eva Matos, MA¹, Stephen Marshall, DDS¹, Jacqueline Martinez, MPH², Allan Formicola, DDS², and Kim D'Abreu Herbert, MPH². (1) School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, P7S Box 20, New York, NY 10032, (2) Center for Community Health Partnerships, Columbia University, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 27C, New York, NY 10032, (212) 304-7031, jm721@columbia.edu

Poor oral health was identified as the number 1 complaint in a population-based survey of Central Harlem conducted in 1992-1994. In response, the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery (SDOS), in partnership with community-based organizations, implemented the Community DentCare Network. Three linked community-based dental programs provide preventive oral health services and comprehensive treatment to residents of northern Manhattan, regardless of the ability to pay. The 3 major components of Community DentCare are: (1) 6 public school-based dental programs; (2) 1 mobile dental clinic to reach the head start and elderly population; and (3) 4 community health centers offering comprehensive dental services. The Community DentCare Network recorded 50,000 patient visits last year, and provided 7,000 school children with critical preventive services and treatment. In a federally designated dental manpower shortage area, Community DentCare also serves as a community-based service program for students and residents of SDOS in northern Manhattan. It provides a learning environment for students, serves as a vehicle for student involvement in areas of concentration, and affords opportunities to provide oral-health education workshops in the community. In partnership with Pipeline, Profession & Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program, Community DentCare is a model for 15 dental schools across the nation. Based on the model, the 15 dental schools receive technical assistance on how to use existing resources of academic medical centers to establish community partnerships, develop community-based clinical education programs that provide care to underserved populations, and offers a framework for educating dental students within the community.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Demonstrate best practice model for integrating institutional and community resources to provide access to dental coverage in a medically underserved community
• 2. Asses how to capitalize on strategic partnership in the establishment of community based dental programs
• 3. Identify five common barriers to dental care for the un-and under-insured
• 4. Analyze the challenges and effectiveness of a dental program within an underserved community that promotes the participation of students and residents in dentistry

Keywords: Access to Care, Oral Health Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Columbia University--employment W.K. Kellogg Foundation--grant

Recorded presentation