In a seminal 2000 report, the Surgeon General identified oral disease as the “silent epidemic” in America. Subsequent efforts identified numerous steps, including equipping non-dental providers with oral health competencies to increase access to care. Unfortunately, oral disease persists as a cause of health disparities and adversely impacts health. Thus, all health professionals are called to recognize and champion systemic changes for educational and practice transformation for the integration oral health as part of overall health. Such a response must embrace what the health professions can accomplish together through cross organizational and interprofessional efforts that showcase a collective commitment to person-centered, equitable care. The webinar will provide as a case study the PA profession’s ongoing efforts to integrate oral health into education and practice. In addition, the webinar will feature PA efforts to engage a growing network of partners to build capacity as well as models and exemplars for interprofessional action to improve health.
Objectives:
- Describe the role of certified PAs to expand workforce capacity
- Explain the importance of collaboration for integrating oral health into education and practice
- Identify strategies in which health professions can work together to meet oral health needs