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Piyumika M. Kularatne, MPH, Division of Community Health, Columbia University, 154 Haven Ave., 1st Floor, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-7856, pmk11@columbia.edu, Kavita P. Ahluwalia, DDS, MPH, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, Division of Community Health, 630 West 168 St, New York, NY 10032, and Burton L. Edelstein, DDS, MPH, School of Dental and Oral Surgery-Division of Community Health, Columbia University, 154 Haven, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10032.
Given the existing oral health disparities, and shortage of primary oral health care providers in underserved areas, this project sought to increase access to dental services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Harlem, NYC, by establishing a collaborative partnership with a community-based organization with similar goals. A second related objective was to potentially increase the capacity of the dental workforce in underserved areas by training culturally competent post-doctoral dental residents to deliver relevant services to the Harlem community. To this end, the academic partner, Columbia University secured grant funding for the building of an on-site dental facility at Harlem United (HU), an adult day care center for people living with HIV/AIDS in Harlem. In order to address the needs of each partner, an HIV/AIDS Management Team, which included members of both partners was established to coordinate project activities including facility development, service delivery and resident training through a modified service learning curriculum (Integrated management of HIV/AIDS patients), which is currently being implemented and tested. Particular issues that required negotiation included a) acceptable qualification for trainee-providers to work with HU clients, b) residents’ and students’ time commitments, and c) trainee participation in non-clinical and social service functions of HU. Because both partners’ common goals and needs required sharing of resources, a truly integrated partnership with a sustainable model for service delivery was developed, but care must be taken to work with partners who have the experience and community credibility required to promote and support new programs.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Community-Based Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.