Juliane M. Winters, DDS: No financial relationships to disclose
Description: Access to oral health care is challenging for new refugees in the U.S. After fleeing their home countries and spending years in refugee camps with limited resources, many refugees arrive with extensive dental needs. Upon arrival, refugees receive comprehensive medical services, but dental needs are not generally addressed. The objective of our project is to use targeted care coordination and public health partnerships to ensure that new refugees receive emergency and comprehensive dental care in a timely manner. In July 2022, we initiated a pilot project using various intervention methods. We created a “Community Care Coordinator” position as a liaison between community health clinics, refugee resettlement agencies, and patients. During the initial Community Orientation, we utilize a RDH to provide dental screenings, education, and oral hygiene kits. We accept referrals from medical providers who identify extensive dental needs at refugee initial medical screenings. To ensure long-term care, we establish dental homes for refugees, completing a comprehensive exam and scheduling subsequent care. Lastly, we provide culturally-competent care, schedule families together, utilize interpretation services, and accommodate culturally-specific requests. Early results indicate positive results on improving access to oral healthcare for new refugees. 250 refugees have been scheduled for comprehensive exams including extensive pediatric, restorative, endodontic, surgical, periodontal, prosthodontic, and emergency care. These successes lead to the conclusion that targeted care coordination and partnership between community health clinics can significantly increase access and utilization of oral health care services for new refugees in the U.S.
Source of Funding:: Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation provided grant funding to both Broadlawns Dental Clinic and Dental Connections, Inc. to make this pilot project possible.
