An Innovative Collaboration between a Community College, a Non-profit Agency, and a Community Health Center to Provide Dental Care to Underserved Populations Lohring Miller DMD

Program Objectives To describe an innovative dental clinic which utilizes existing community resources. To describe how the unique collaboration works when serving an underserved and vulnerable population

Purpose Our newly created dental program exists through a unique community collaboration. A non-profit organization, HIV Alliance provides HIV+ clients seeking dental services. Lane Community College provides clinical space and enthusiastic dental hygiene students. Community Health Centers of Lane County employs staff and provides federal tort coverage.

Program Goals To provide comprehensive dental care services (except for implants and orthodontics). To improve the oral health status of vulnerable HIV+ patients in a friendly atmosphere. To provide care for patients in a wide geographic area

Personnel Denturist Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Students and Faculty County Staff Dental Case Manager

Denturist Oregon allows the independent practice of a denturist. Provides freedom in the schedule for the dentist. Denturists construct, repair, reline, reproduce, duplicate, supply, fit or alter removable prosthetic dental appliances' otherwise known as dentures. In the fitting process, denturists also take impressions, bite registrations, try-ins or insertions. Denturists provide full dentures to replace complete sets of original teeth that are missing in the upper, lower or both sections of the mouth, and partial dentures, which fit sections of the mouth in which some of the original teeth remain.

School Faculty & Students Utilize existing clinic in a community college dental program 18 dental chairs; beautiful facility Utilize faculty Supervision Utilize students Enthusiastic Provide exceptional care Work up each patient assessment (review medical histories and medications, radiographs, periodontal probing, soft tissue exam Restorative functions for hygiene students

The Clinic

Lane County FQHC Staff are employed by the county. County provides federal tort coverage for all employees. The dental clinic is part of the county’s FQHC

Dental Case Manager An employee of the HIV Alliance. Coordinates the dental appointment with the HIV+ patient. May provide transportation and/or gas voucher, or a bus pass. Reduces no show rate to 11%. Important role in the success of our program.

Needs Addressed HIV+ patients typically receive stigma and have had poor previous dental experiences. Rather than only providing episodic or emergency dental treatment, our dental clinic provides increased access and improved oral health status through comprehensive dental treatment plans.

Results Achieved HIV+ patients get comprehensive dental services in a friendly atmosphere. More procedures performed in year 1 than other models with more clients Our no show rate for this population is 11% due to the efforts of the case managers. State funds are used more efficiently than in traditional DMO clinics Students get a valuable and unique learning experience

Problems to Solve Transportation Coordination with school programs Grant covers a wide area Clients often don’t have cars Coordination with school programs Coordination among partners Sustainability

Transportation Clinics in other dental assisting and hygiene programs Prescreening Supplies and equipment Staff accommodations Shuttles and hotel stays Gas cards

Coordination with School Allocating clinic chairs Constant clinic needs – episodic learning needs Dual use of staff Electronic dental record(s)

Coordination Among Partners HIV Alliance and Lane Community College Case managers and clinic managers developed close working relationship Alliance is a close knit agency with a committed staff Lane County Restructured and replaced staff involved in grant Has minimal involvement

Sustainability What will we do when the grant runs out?