Amy Bell, B.S., R.D.H., E.P.P.: No financial relationships to disclose
Description: “Addressing Social Determinants of Health through Public Health Dentistry” positively impacts health disparities and improves health outcomes by ensuring community members can access needed resources as well as meet their oral health needs. This project utilizes a Community Information Exchange (CIE) system, Unite Us, a statewide CIE used to connect community members to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to address social determinants of health (SDoH) needs. In addition to providing asynchronous teledentistry, preventive and stabilization services in a community setting, an Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist utilizes a SDoH screening tool to determine if a community member has transportation, food, and/or housing needs, then connects them to the appropriate resource(s). This pilot project has yielded many positive outcomes, including increased utilization by Medicaid patients, additional access points to dental care, reduced health disparities and promoted health outcomes for community members.
