No abstract

Improving access to dental care for patients experiencing barriers such as financial, transportation, or mental health is a public health concern. Dental schools have an obligation to assist patients experiencing such barriers as well as to educate future dentists and allied professionals on how to assist these patients in overcoming barriers. Once admitted to the dental clinic, retention issues can further complicate the provision of dental care. This article will describe an innovative program designed to address biopsychosocial barriers to dental care. Needs assessments of patients sitting in the waiting room of the dental clinic were conducted by master's of social work (M.S.W.) students. Based on needs assessment results, common dental care barriers were identified and served as the foundation for the establishment of a social work program in the dental clinic. Dental students, faculty, and staff refer patients to the social work program when barriers to care are found. These biopsychosocial barriers are addressed by social workers, uniquely qualified professionals in providing case management, advocacy, referrals, education, and services (CARES). Over the course of three years, 80 percent of patients experiencing an identified barrier to the receipt of dental care were retained through social work intervention. These patients were able to receive dental care within the past year. Dental schools can collaborate with social work schools to establish a protocol and assistance program for dental patients experiencing difficulty accessing care, thereby improving oral health status, retention rates, and dental student education.

The evidence is clear that the problems of runaway youth are immense, varied, and persistent. Services must be designed to address these problems and the factors associated with them. This study investigated a sample (n ¼ 156) of runaway youths admitted to basic shelter services and evaluated the individual and family factors associated with various problem domains, including: family relationships, abuse, mental health, substance use, and educational difficulties. Findings demonstrated that familyoriented issues were the predominant predictors of youth problems. Results point to the need for developing and evaluating new approaches in solving problems of runaway youth that incorporate strengthening family relationships.

One in seven women who have a baby will experience postpartum depression. Although there are many treatments for postpartum depression, many women do not receive assistance. When left untreated, this condition can have a deleterious affect on the woman's health/mental health, the child's cognitive, psychological, emotional and social development, the marital relationship and ability to contribute to society. This study examined 45 women's self-reported desire for PPD care and ability to obtain these services in Erie County, New York. Results showed differences in desired care by race, differences in access to care by race and revealed the lack of PPD care in general.

The high rates of substance use among American adolescents are challenging; however, runaway youth are at particularly high-risk for substance use. Runaway youth utilizing two service sectors, emergency crisis shelters and juvenile detention centers, were recruited to evaluate differences in risk factors associated with substance use. Findings demonstrate that youth admitted to juvenile detention (n = 121) had proportionally higher levels of problem behaviors, including substance use, than youth admitted to shelter services (n = 156). Both groups of youth have significantly higher levels of substance use than national estimates. The most significant risk factor for alcohol and marijuana use among youth in both groups was using other substances. Addressing issues of substance abuse among runaway youth must be a