A Collaborative Assessment of Barriers to Oral Health Care

Oral health disparities are pervasive. Interprofessional education and collaborative practice experiences may be a means to address this problem in oral healthcare settings. This project aimed determine: (1) barriers involved patients’ access care at an academic dental school clinic, (2) students’ perceived ability needs and/or barriers, (3) the of current clinical operations’ issues, (4) potential role licensed social worker integrated into clinic. Investigators conducted three focus groups –one student group (n=5), one staff (n=7), faculty (n=5). Further, investigators administered two assessment surveys – with students, staff, (n=144) second school’s patients (n=150). employed descriptive inferential statistical analyses evaluate survey data. Five principal for were identified from data, inclusive patients, perspectives: lack financial means, of/inadequate insurance, limited/no transportation, general problems, (5) language barriers. More female (38.7%) than male (8.1%) reported accessing care. Including workers clinic help patient support interprofessional practice.