196736 Enhancing access to oral health care for underserved communities: “Project Dental Home”

Monday, November 9, 2009

Mark S. Schweizer, DDS , Department of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lisa R. Metsch, PhD , Dept. of Epidemiology & Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Diane Ede-Nichols, DDS, MHL , Community Dentistry, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Barry Waterman, DDS , Department of Cariology and Restorative Dentistry, Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Juan-Carlos Velasco, DDS , Community Dentistry, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stephen Abel, DDS , Assistant Dean for Extramural Affairs, Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Objectives:

Project “Dental Home” is an ongoing community oral health outreach program in Broward County, Florida to improve the oral health of adults and children in underserved communities.

Methods:

The approach consists of providing oral health services at community centers through the use of portable dental equipment to provide oral health screenings, preventive dental care, and referral to a “dental home.” Oral health services are provided by dental students from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine with supervision by a faculty preceptor. Through a collaborative grant, Memorial Healthcare System ensures that participants' medical needs are addressed.

Results:

As of January 30, 2009 145 adult patients have utilized services with 89% indicating that they did not have a dentist for routine care. Over half (57%) have not seen a dentist in the past two years and 28% have not seen a dentist in the past 5 years. Sixty-two percent reported that there was a time in the past two years that they needed dental care and could not receive it. The most common barriers were the cost of dental services and lack of insurance. Over half (58%) of participants reported teeth and gums were in “fair” or “poor” condition. Twenty percent of adults reported having missed a day of work because of a dental problem.

Conclusion:

For this underserved population, the lack of access to care as well as financial limitations is a major barrier to receiving dental care.

Funding:

Health Foundation of South Florida

Learning Objectives:
Describe the patterns of utilization of dental services by low income adults Discuss the barriers facing low income adults in addressing dental care services Identify strategies to improve use and access to dental care services amount low income adults

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Faculty Preceptor HITS Grant Pervious presentations and numerous dental meetings
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.