The notion of quality oral health care services is an important one, and this is not just a matter of cost, but also of the patient’s experience of it. The goal of quality care is to improve the overall oral health status of a patient. In order to achieve this goal, accurate diagnosis and a well-defined treatment plan are essential. According to the NASEM, quality is defined as the consistent application of professional knowledge.
For children and young adults, oral health has been improving over time, and the progress must continue to be replicated for adults. However, inequalities exist between socially excluded groups and affluent people. There is a high risk of dental caries in the elderly, and their oral health reflects this. Public health experts have called for a comprehensive approach to addressing these inequalities.
The National Institutes of Health has identified five objectives for the field of oral health. These goals are to ensure adequate resources and personnel, improve the integration of oral health with general health, increase access to high-quality care for vulnerable populations, and strengthen public-private partnerships. Further, the Institutes of Health recommends that dental care providers engage in more research and collaboration to improve patient outcomes. They encourage state governments to develop their own policy plans to address oral health care problems.
Patient engagement has increased in recent years, and providers are now encouraged to work with patients as partners. These patients are ‘activated,’ meaning they have better outcomes than their non-activated counterparts. Increased patient engagement has also increased provider satisfaction. Sometimes, however, patients need procedures that are not covered by their dental plans. As a result, patients may have to pay for these procedures themselves. Ultimately, this makes quality care services more accessible.
The report includes an update of the state of children’s oral health and provider participation in Medicaid. It also includes a look at workforce models and legislative reforms to address disparities. By addressing these disparities, we can ensure that all people have access to high-quality oral health care services. The report aims to promote oral health equity in the U.S. and achieve optimal oral health for all. For more information about oral health care, please visit the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center.
Improved provider-to-provider communication is necessary for quality oral health care services. Increasing communication between dentists and primary care providers improves overall health care and the integration of primary care services. By facilitating improved communication, the process of addressing dental needs becomes more effective and more convenient for patients and physicians. It is important to note that the commission paper recommended a multilevel approach to coordination of care. Examples of this care coordination include enrolling patients in public programs for dental care.
An enhanced community-based primary care practice should offer dental services. This model is designed to provide comprehensive care to all community members, which includes preventive services and education. To make this intervention a success, the dentist must have a full-time pediatric dental practice. This position will support the expansion of dental services in the clinics and will act as an on-site training resource. Further, the dental home should also include a comprehensive oral health policy to promote the quality of care.
Although dental care referral guidelines have been developed for primary care, many remain unimplemented. This is partly due to issues of cost, insurance coverage, and social determinants of health. Fortunately, many innovative approaches have emerged to help overcome these barriers.