Educator Scholar, Assistant Professor University of North Dakota, Department of Indigenous Health
Disclosure(s):
Shawnda M. Schroeder, PhD, MA: No financial relationships to disclose
Abstract: Objective: Primary care is any healthcare delivered with the patient and community in mind. The dental workforce must be recognized as members of the larger body of primary care providers and receive appropriate training. This is imperative as patients self-regulate healthcare visits. In 2018, 28.2 million U.S. residents reported a dental visit in the last calendar year, but NO other medical care visit. This TeleECHO™ virtual learning series focused on providing local training and case presentation to prepare dental teams to provide comprehensive, equitable, primary care. Methods: TeleECHO™ creates a professional network in a community, connecting providers to hear lectures followed by patient care presentations and discussion. Topics and cases were identified by an advisory team including dental professionals, the State Medicaid office, and medical providers. January 2022 through August, twelve, one-hour clinics offered free continuing education (CE) for dental professionals; CE is still available for recordings. Results: Roughly 200 individuals attended live and an additional 180 have viewed the recordings in a state with only 408 dentists, and 678 dental hygienists. A majority believe information presented will lead to clinical practice change. Additional evaluation data will be presented along details for local implementation. Conclusions: TeleECHO™ clinics are evidence-based practices for clinical knowledge translation. Trainings increase provider competence, and in return, community health. Participants leave understanding the importance of incorporating primary care practices in dental as described in the first clinic as multi-directional integrated care, presented by Rear Admiral Timothy Ricks, Assistant Surgeon General, Chief Dental Officer.
Source of Funding: Funding for this work was obtained through cooperative agreements #DP18-1810 between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services and additional funding provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
