Is a mid‐level dental provider model acceptable to potential patients?

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess patient attitudes toward mid‐level dental providers, known as dental therapists (DTs), by surveying those likely to be their patients. The recent adoption of accreditation standards by the Commission on Dental Accreditation has reignited a debate surrounding the state‐by‐state legalization of DTs in the United States; while the dental profession is divided on DTs, it is important to understand how potential patients may view the DT model.MethodsA questionnaire that asks about oral health experience, and comfort with the model of a dually trained dental therapist–hygienist, based on a provided definition, was administered to 600 patients and their waiting room companions at a large urban university‐based dental clinic.ResultsForty percent of respondents indicated they would be comfortable being treated by a DT for all 7 of the procedures referenced, and over 75% were comfortable with each of 5 procedures. Having caps or crowns placed was the only treatment about which respondents were evenly divided. Factors associated with greater odds of comfort with various procedures include being uninsured and being under the age of 65. Uninsured patients were 1.5 to 2 times more likely than privately insured patients to accept a DT.ConclusionsThe introduction of mid‐level dental providers is a strategy that those lacking regular care appear on the whole to be comfortable with.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/1/cdoe12230-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/2/cdoe12230.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/3/cdoe12230_am.pd

Is a mid‐level dental provider model acceptable to potential patients?

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess patient attitudes toward mid‐level dental providers, known as dental therapists (DTs), by surveying those likely to be their patients. The recent adoption of accreditation standards by the Commission on Dental Accreditation has reignited a debate surrounding the state‐by‐state legalization of DTs in the United States; while the dental profession is divided on DTs, it is important to understand how potential patients may view the DT model.MethodsA questionnaire that asks about oral health experience, and comfort with the model of a dually trained dental therapist–hygienist, based on a provided definition, was administered to 600 patients and their waiting room companions at a large urban university‐based dental clinic.ResultsForty percent of respondents indicated they would be comfortable being treated by a DT for all 7 of the procedures referenced, and over 75% were comfortable with each of 5 procedures. Having caps or crowns placed was the only treatment about which respondents were evenly divided. Factors associated with greater odds of comfort with various procedures include being uninsured and being under the age of 65. Uninsured patients were 1.5 to 2 times more likely than privately insured patients to accept a DT.ConclusionsThe introduction of mid‐level dental providers is a strategy that those lacking regular care appear on the whole to be comfortable with.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/1/cdoe12230-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/2/cdoe12230.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134205/3/cdoe12230_am.pd

Behavioral Health in Dental Settings: Resources to Support Integration

ABSTRACTBackground Decades of research evidence has shown that mental health and substance use are impacted by oral health, and that oral health is impacted by mental health and substance use. As our nation experiences alarming increases in mental health and substance use needs, patients in dental settings are increasingly likely to present with such needs, impacting their ability to successfully access oral health services and improve their oral health.Discussion However, dental providers can leverage existing resources and practices toward best supporting patients’ behavioral health, and, ultimately, their oral health. This article includes concepts, tools, and resources to support dental professionals in developing financially sustainable shifts to move the dial toward integrated oral health and behavioral health care

Integrating oral health into community health worker and peer provider certifications in Michigan: A community action report

IntroductionA multi‐disciplinary, community‐university‐government collaboration resulted in the development of Oral Health for Community Workers, a brief, oral health online e‐learning module. The e‐learning module was designed to improve oral health literacy among frontline health workers who are members of underserved communities, and to address oral health disparities in safety net medical and behavioral health settings.MethodsCommunity‐based participatory methods were used to design and evaluate the e‐learning module. Participants took pre‐, post‐, and 3‐month follow‐up surveys.ResultsOral health literacy and confidence in incorporating oral health into practice improved. Satisfaction with the module was high.DiscussionOral Health for Community Workers is now sustained as a standard module within Community Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, and Peer Recovery Coach Certification and continuing education offerings in Michigan.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/172071/1/jphd12493.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/172071/2/jphd12493_am.pd

Peer mentorship to reduce suicide attempts among high-risk adults (PREVAIL): Rationale and design of a randomized controlled effectiveness-implementation trial

RATIONALE: Novel approaches to suicide prevention are needed to address increasing rates of suicide deaths. Research suggests that interventions led by certified Peer Specialists may improve suicide protective factors such as hope and connectedness; however, the effectiveness of a Peer Specialist intervention for reducing suicidal thoughts or behaviors has not previously been tested empirically. DESIGN: We describe the methodology of a randomized controlled hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial of a peer specialist intervention known as PREVAIL (Peers for Valued Living). The primary effectiveness aim is to determine whether the 3-month peer mentorship intervention compared to a minimally enhanced usual care condition reduces suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among adults at high risk for suicide who have been psychiatrically hospitalized. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include medically serious suicide attempts according to chart review and self-reported self-efficacy to avoid suicide. We also describe suicide risk management, supervision, and fidelity monitoring in the context of Peer Specialist providers and our methods for assessing implementation barriers and facilitators. CONCLUSION: The PREVAIL trial will demonstrate novel methods for incorporating peer providers into a suicide prevention effectiveness trial with high-risk study participants. PREVAIL\u27s hybrid effectiveness-implementation design aims to maximize the likelihood of rapid implementation in the community if shown to be effective