American Association of Community Dental Programs Annual Meeting April 19, 2009 Diann Bomkamp, RDH, BSDH President American Dental Hygienists Association
The oral and general health needs of the U.S. population are growing, and health care practice and education must evolve to meet them. Efforts must be undertaken to create an integrated health care delivery system. Health care stakeholders must work cooperatively to identify and remove barriers that restrict the public s access to oral health care.
1. Patient access and needs must be the top priority 2. Integration of oral health and medical services/providers is critical 3. Collaboration among stakeholders is needed to effect change 4. We must implement lessons learned from states/localities and international partners as we shape solutions to improve access
When considering solutions to improve the dental workforce and access, the focus must remain on the patient Engaging consumer groups and other health care stakeholders in workforce and access dialogue can help achieve this
Links between oral health and total health continue to emerge and are widely recognized Integrated health care benefits the patient New models for administering medical, oral health, and mental health care in one location are being pioneered
The IOM Workshop offered many tangible examples of collaboration Delivery of care Dental education Health care policy
The Workshop offered many examples of models/ideas that have been tested and modified to achieve greater success
ADHA s Core Ideology: Helping dental hygienists to achieve their full potential as they seek to improve the public s total health.
Strategic Objectives: Increase the public's direct access to dental hygienists (Advocacy goal) Expand collaborative opportunities for the professional associations to work synergistically (Partnership goal) Expand opportunities to promote quality patient care delivered by the dentist and dental hygienist in partnership (Partnership goal)
Standardization of Practice Enabling dental hygienists to practice to full extent of education Facilitate greater provider mobility Settings Increase settings to create new entry points into oral health care delivery system Supervision Collaboration Shift focus from supervision to increased collaboration among oral health and medical professionals
Current workforce and enrollment trends indicate a strong demand for dental hygienists that will likely continue into the foreseeable future. Dental hygienists will increasingly augment the productivity of the dental team and extend the accessibility of oral health care. ADEA Institute for Public Policy and Advocacy, Dental Education At-A-Glance, 2004
152,000 licensed dental hygienists in U.S 130,000 active practitioners 25% hold licenses in more than one state Predominantly female profession (99%) Mean years in profession - 18.3 years Mean age 44/Median 45 91.5% Caucasian Resource: ADHA Master File Survey of Dental Hygienists in the U.S. 2007
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: DENTAL HYGIENISTS Projections data from the National Employment Matrix Occupational Title Dental hygienists (SOC: 29-2021) 2006 employment Projected 2016 employment Number Number 167,000 217,000 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm#projections_data Retrieved 1.24.09 Last updated 12.8.07 Change, 2006-2016 Number 50,000 Percent 30
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: DENTISTS Projections data from the National Employment Matrix Occupational Title Dentists, general (SOC: 29-1021) 2006 employment Projected 2016 employment Number Number Number 136,000 149,000 13,000 Change, 2006-2016 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm#oes_links Retrieved 1.24.09 Last updated 12.8.07 Percent 9
Current Programs: - 303 Entry-level (AS, AAS, BS) - Entry-level program in each state - 1-22 programs in each state - Approximately 6,000 graduates per year in the U.S. - 59 Degree completion (BS) - 18 Master of Science (MS)
Direct Access ADHA defines direct access as the ability of the dental hygienist to initiate patient care without a dentist being present or having previously examined the patient.
Direct Access 1995 5 States
Direct Access 2000 9 States
Direct Access 2009 29 States
Developed in wake of landmark reports documenting oral health disparities International oral health models U.S. nursing and medical mid-level providers Feedback from broad base of health care stakeholders Building on strengths of existing workforce New provider will work in collaboration with dentists
Full range of preventive services Oral health education Minimally invasive restorative services: Cavity preparation and placement Placement of temporary restorations Pulpotomies Limited prescriptive authority Preventive Anti-infective Non-narcotic pain management
Extractions of primary and permanent teeth in emergent situations Triage Non-surgical periodontal therapy for patients with gingival and periodontal diseases Administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide Formulation of ADHP diagnosis and treatment planning
Primary provider of educational, preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and minimally invasive restorative services Provide care to wide range of patient populations Understand and effectively function within health care delivery system Evaluate and synthesize data for improved patient care outcomes Utilize and/or conduct research to make evidence-based decisions
Health Reform Include dental in any comprehensive health reform effort Workforce development/loan assistance Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates Improve health literacy among patient populations
ADHP Competencies http://www.adha.org/downloads/competencies.pdf ADHA Master File http://www.adha.org/research/index.html American Dental Hygienists Association 444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3400 Chicago, IL 60611 312-440-8900 www.adha.org ADHA Staff Directory: http://www.adha.org/contactus/index.html