Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Homa Amini, DDS, MPH, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Mona Taylor, RDH, BSDH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Barbara Carnahan, RDH, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the Integration of Oral Health into Prenatal Care Program is to demonstrate the ability of non-profit primary health care facilities to integrate oral health into their prenatal services. Methods: We implemented a demonstration project aimed at integrating oral health into prenatal services at a hospital-based Teen and Pregnancy (TaP) clinic serving at-risk, low-income adolescents in Ohio. Utilizing the Institute for Healthcare Model for Improvement, we developed a key driver diagram aimed at increasing the percent of patients who received an oral health assessment, education, and case management for dental care as part of prenatal visits. Key drivers identified included provider knowledge/buy-in, effective clinic workflow, patient receptibility, changes in electronic health record templates, and a dental referral process. Prenatal providers were trained using the Smiles for Life Pregnancy and Women’s Oral Health Curriculum; a process map was developed outlining clinic workflow with an oral health-integrated model; and dental templates were built for the TaP clinic EHR dashboard and embedded in the provider visit documentation workflow. In addition to oral health assessments, providers engaged in delivering prenatal/infant oral health education and dental referrals. Results: Since program implementation (5 months), 149 oral health assessments have been completed. Of those, 82 resulted in a dental referral; 2% for urgent, 60% for early, and 40% for routine care. Conclusions: It appears that oral health assessment, case management and education can be integrated into prenatal care. Challenges with case-management activities included unreachable patient phone numbers and long wait time for dental appointments.
Source of Funding: Federal MCH Block Grant (Title V)
