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ORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE:. Current Resources, Opportunities for Improvement. WHY?. Dental care is the most frequently cited unmet healthcare need among people with developmental disabilities. Geography Residential status Socioeconomic status/insurance coverage
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ORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE: Current Resources, Opportunities for Improvement
WHY? • Dental care is the most frequently citedunmet healthcare need among people with developmental disabilities. • Geography • Residential status • Socioeconomic status/insurance coverage • Co-morbidities (behavioral and medical) • Training and attitudes of dentist/hygienist
HOW? A two-step approach SURVEY FOCUS GROUPS Three-to-four focus groups Target members: General dentists and hygienists in private practice Pediatric dentists and hygienists in private practice Dentists and hygienists in community clinics Dentists and hygienists in academic centers • Web-based survey of area dentists and dental hygienists • Email promotion of survey • Eastman Institute for Oral Health • Rochester General Hospital • 7th District Dental Society • 7th District Dental Hygienists’ Association
PROGRESS • Survey has been created, piloted, revised and released • 155 respondents (as of March 9th, 2012) • DDS: 57% • RDH: 43% • Focus groups are currently forming
SURVEY • Under what conditions would you be willing to increase the number of patients with disabilities treated in your office? • I need a referral system for difficult cases: 24% • I need increased reimbursement: 27% • I need to discuss cases with experienced providers: 30% • I need continuing education courses: 30% • I do not want to treat more patients with disabilities: 13%
FUTURE DIRECTIONS • Continued promotion of survey through reminder mailing, word-of-mouth • Focus groups to be held April 2012 • Analysis of data from surveys and focus groups • Drafting of strengths and weaknesses of oral health workforce, and future action recommendations