Collaboration Aims to Boost Access

Patricia Braun, MD, and her team at Denver Health are furthering the integration of oral health into medical checkups for underserved populations. With a $6 million federal grant, Braun and colleagues have trained 250 primary care providers in oral health, emphasizing assessment, education, and preventive care. The physicians collaborate closely with dental hygienists and refer to either on- or offsite dentists. Despite regulatory variations, this model shows promise in improving access to dental care, with efforts extending to other states. The program has raised the percentage of young children receiving preventive dental care from 33% to 78% over 2.5 years.

From Decisions in Dentistry. April/May 2024; 10(3):10