Kristen Simmons1, Stephanie Gibson2, Joel M White3. 1. BSDH, RDH, MHA, Willamette Dental Group, P.C., OR, USA. Electronic address: ksimmons@willamettedental.com. 2. MHA, Willamette Dental Group, P.C., OR, USA. 3. DDS, MS, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Three change drivers are being implemented to high standards of patient centric and evidence-based oral health care within the context of a large multispecialty dental group practice organization based on the commitment of the dental hygienist chief operating officer and her team. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A recent environmental scan elucidated 6 change drivers that can impact the provision of oral health care. Practitioners who can embrace and maximize aspects of these change drivers will move dentistry forward and create future opportunities. This article explains how 3 of these change drivers are being applied in a privately held, accountable risk-bearing entity that provides individualized treatment programs for more than 417,000 members. To facilitate integration of the conceptual changes related to the drivers, a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary, highly functioning collaborative work group was formed. METHODS AND APPROACH: The document Dental Hygiene at a Crossroads for Change(1) inspired the first author, a dental hygienist in a unique position as chief operating officer of a large group practice, to pursue evidence-based organizational change and to impact the quality of patient care. This was accomplished by implementing technological advances including dental diagnosis terminology in the electronic health record, clinical decision support, standardized treatment guidelines, quality metrics, and patient engagement to improve oral health outcomes at the patient and population levels. The systems and processes used to implement 3 change drivers into a large multi-practice dental setting is presented to inform and inspire others to implement change drivers with the potential for advancing oral health. CONCLUSIONS: Technology implementing best practices and improving patient engagement are excellent drivers to advance oral health and are an effective use of oral health care dollars. Improved oral health can be leveraged through technological advances to improve clinical practice.
UNLABELLED: Three change drivers are being implemented to high standards of patient centric and evidence-based oral health care within the context of a large multispecialty dental group practice organization based on the commitment of the dental hygienist chief operating officer and her team. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A recent environmental scan elucidated 6 change drivers that can impact the provision of oral health care. Practitioners who can embrace and maximize aspects of these change drivers will move dentistry forward and create future opportunities. This article explains how 3 of these change drivers are being applied in a privately held, accountable risk-bearing entity that provides individualized treatment programs for more than 417,000 members. To facilitate integration of the conceptual changes related to the drivers, a multi-institutional, multidisciplinary, highly functioning collaborative work group was formed. METHODS AND APPROACH: The document Dental Hygiene at a Crossroads for Change(1) inspired the first author, a dental hygienist in a unique position as chief operating officer of a large group practice, to pursue evidence-based organizational change and to impact the quality of patient care. This was accomplished by implementing technological advances including dental diagnosis terminology in the electronic health record, clinical decision support, standardized treatment guidelines, quality metrics, and patient engagement to improve oral health outcomes at the patient and population levels. The systems and processes used to implement 3 change drivers into a large multi-practice dental setting is presented to inform and inspire others to implement change drivers with the potential for advancing oral health. CONCLUSIONS: Technology implementing best practices and improving patient engagement are excellent drivers to advance oral health and are an effective use of oral health care dollars. Improved oral health can be leveraged through technological advances to improve clinical practice.
Keywords:
Caries risk; Clinical decision support systems; Electronic Health Records; Periodontal diagnosis; Practice guidelines; Willamette Dental Group
Authors: Enihomo Obadan-Udoh; Lisa Simon; Jini Etolue; Oluwabunmi Tokede; Joel White; Heiko Spallek; Muhammad Walji; Elsbeth Kalenderian Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-07-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Joanna Mullins; Alfa Yansane; Elsbeth Kalenderian; Muhammad F Walji; Shwetha V Kumar; Suhasini Bangar; Ana Neumann; Todd R Johnson; Gregory W Olson; Krishna Kumar Kookal; Emily Sedlock; Aram Kim; Elizabeth Mertz; Ryan Brandon; Kristen Simmons; Joel M White Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2021-05-29 Impact factor: 2.757