Uniting healthcare providers and community resources to improve oral health in Chelsea, Massachusetts

In Chelsea (MA), a predominantly Latino and lower income Boston neighborhood, community members and physicians have noted a high level of oral health need. Our needs assessment within the community found high levels of untreated decay, dental pain and a lack of dental providers accepting Medicaid. Our funded project involves building a medically integrated dental home at MGH-Chelsea, a local community health center that currently lacks a dental department. Additionally, our project includes interprofessional training seminars that will improve the oral health literacy of other healthcare professionals. 

Removing the distinction between oral health and general health is paramount to our goals. Our efforts have included providing medically integrated dental screenings and oral health education targeted to our patients and their team of providers, comprised of physicians and students of medicine, pharmacy, social work and nursing. Collaborative learning will improve access to dental care as other healthcare professionals begin to recognize and discuss oral health need.

Students from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine have served as leaders in all facets of our program, from curriculum development to clinical care. Research shows that student exposure to underserved populations during training increases likelihood that they will continue to serve them in their careers.  Collaboration amongst health professions students in our program serves as a model of interprofessional education and collaboration to benefit of underserved populations all healthcare providers serve.

Ongoing efforts include direct provision of dental care in tandem with medical clinics and collaboration with other Boston dental schools.