Primary Care Physician Roles in Health Centers with Oral Health Care Units

Abstract

Introduction:Integrating oral health care and primary care is a priority for improving population health. Primary care physicians (PCP) are filling expanded roles within oral health care to secure strong overall health for their patients.Methods: This comparative case study examines the roles of PCPs at 5 federally qualified health centers that have integrated oral health care and primary care. Administrative data were obtained directly from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Key informant interviews were performed with administrators and clinical care team members at each of the health centers. Data were reviewed by 2 experts in oral health to identify emerging roles for physicians.Results: PPCPs' roles in health centers' integration models vary, but 3 distinct roles emerged: (1) the physician as a champion, (2) the physician as a collaborator, and (3) the physician as a member of an interprofessional team. In addition, providing physicians with the necessary training to identify oral health issues was critical to preparing physicians to take on expanded roles in integrated health care delivery models.Conclusions: Regardless of the roles that they play, family physicians can contribute a great deal to the success of integration models. (J Am Board Fam Med 2017;30:491-504.)

Family physicians' knowledge and awareness regarding oral health: A survey

“…[9] According to literature, some of the health centers in the US provided oral health content during training sessions for its primary care providers and physicians to embrace oral health care as an integral part of primary care. [5]…”

“…It has been emphasized that family physicians and other primary care providers can play an important role in improving oral health of the population. [45] Many physicians are less familiar with the oral diseases and their systemic origin. They may not be effectively able to correlate systemic etiology of diseases with their oral manifestations.…”

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“…Maxey et al 10 qualitatively considered interaction between dental health and primary care physicians at 5 centers with dental units. Although all provided dental services, not all were colocated with the primary care physicians.…”

Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice toward oral health between pediatricians and family doctors

“…Nevertheless, such studies are important because the attitudes and knowledge of health professionals can increase or prevent the implementation and ultimately the success of a preventive program (8)(9)(10). For this reason, the aim of the present study is the comparison of awareness amongst pediatricians and family doctors about the knowledge, attitudes and current practices of oral disease prevention.…”