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Overview

Since the beginning of this century, we have been aware that oral health is a serious problem for children. Evidence suggests that most infants and young children acquire caries-causing bacteria from their mothers. Yet, this major public health problem and its relation to overall health has gone virtually unnoticed in the professional education and practice of physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, physician assistants, and pharmacists, the most likely health professionals to play a leadership role in advancing patient-centered care. The exciting interprofessional role of nurse practitioners and midwives in promoting oral health during pregnancy and preventing early childhood caries (ECC) in newborns and children will be emphasized.  Children have contact with their primary care provider 13 times in the first 36 months. NPs and midwives can play a significant role in improving the quality of oral health in pregnant women and children. Primary care NPs and midwives are perfectly positioned to increase their involvement in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases. A model for integrating interprofessional oral health into the APRN curriculum for PNPs, FNPs, WHNPs, and nurse midwives will be highlighted.

Topics include:

The importance of oral health in pregnancy and childhood as a health issue

The importance of oral health in pregnancy and childhood as a workforce and health disparity issue

The development of early childhood caries

The role of NPs in assessing, managing, and collaborating to address oral health issues during and following pregnancy

The role of NPs in engaging women in preventing early childhood caries (ECC) in their children

The integration of interprofessional oral health into the curriculum for PNPs, FNPs, WHNPs, and others

Program Participants

Speakers from New York University tied to the Oral Health in Nursing Education and Practice Initiative:

Judi Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, Susan Altman DNP, CNM, Amr Moursi, DDS, PhD, Donna Hallas, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, and Erin Hartnett DNP,APRN-BC, CPNP

Response Panel by Representatives of National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

CE Credit

This activity is being submitted to the Maryland Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours.  The Maryland Nurses Association is accredited as an approver of continuing nursing education by the ANCC’s Commission on Accreditation.  Only members of NAPNAP, NPWH, and NONPF are eligible to receive contact hours for the live event.

Webinar  co-sponosred by Oral Health in Nursing Education and Practice Initiative, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.