Barrientos, L., et al. (2024). "Examining dental providers counseling on human papillomavirus vaccine: Insights from parents and dental professionals." J Public Health Dent.
	OBJECTIVES: To (1) assess perceptions of parents of patients ages 9-17 years regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine counseling and a same-day HPV vaccine program, and (2) assess perceptions among dental staff who actively participated in the same administration program. METHODS: We conducted a post-evaluation, convenience survey of parents of patients aged 9-17 and dental staff at a large-urban federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC) from July 25, 2022, to August 26, 2022. Parent and staff perceptions were assessed using validated instruments whenever possible. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Overall, 101 parents participated (response rate: 89%). Overall, 80 parents (74.3%) reported wanting to discuss diseases prevented by the HPV vaccine with their dental provider. Twenty parents (20%) reported receiving counseling on the HPV vaccine by their dentist; 95% (n = 19) of those parents reported it did not change their comfort with their provider and 60% (n = 12) reported their child received the vaccine that day. Overall, 44 dental staff members (32% DDS/DMD, 14% RDH-BS-Dental Hygiene, 55% Other) completed surveys (response rate: 100%). Of these, 39 (88.6%) were willing to recommend the HPV vaccine and participate in a referral program. Nearly all dentists and hygienists (95%) reported discussing the vaccine was within their scope of practice, and most (65%) agreed vaccine administration should be within their scope. CONCLUSION: In a single site convenience survey within an urban, federally qualified health care system, most parents, and dental staff perceived HPV vaccine counseling and administration favorably and clinically appropriate during routine dental visits.

Fatahzadeh, M., et al. (2024). "A novel oral medicine-centered interprofessional curricular initiative to promote collaboration and build oral health capacity." J Dent Educ.
	INTRODUCTION: Oral physicians should possess knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for functioning in the evolving integrated care systems. Paramount for addressing the existing oral health disparities is also adequate training of non-dental health professionals in the foundations of oral health. We conducted interprofessional oral medicine-centered case conferences to prepare dental students for collaborative care and to increase awareness of non-dental students about the mouth-body connection. Herein, we share our perspective and the students' feedback about this educational program. METHODS: Students from seven health profession and social work programs attended an interactive, online oral medicine-centered case conference facilitated by an oral medicine faculty and at least one faculty from another profession. Faculty facilitators guided students to identify key points and encouraged team-based care. Anonymous, voluntary online surveys were distributed to participants immediately after each session. Descriptive data tabulated and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 151 students participated in conferences between 11/11/2022 and 3/24/2023 and 132 (87%) submitted postexperience surveys. Students agreed that the case conference was applicable to their profession (95%) and meaningful (94%), they learned new information about other professions (94%), they could contribute to discussions (90%), interactions were respectful (99%), and discussions emphasized interprofessional collaboration (96%). Non-dental respondents learned more about oral-systemic link (95%), recognized a broader role for dentists (90%), and agreed with inclusion of more oral health content in their curricula (79%). CONCLUSION: Oral medicine-centered case conferences provided an effective curricular path for demonstrating oral-systemic connection, promoting meaningful interprofessional collaboration, and building oral health capacity among students of non-dental health professions.

Horowitz, A. M. (2024). "Oral Health Literacy is in Our Lane." J Dent Hyg 98(4): 4-6.
	
Jack, J. L., et al. (2024). "Feasibility of an innovative medical dental integration program to provide overdue adolescent vaccinations in a federally qualified health center." J Public Health Dent.
	OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a medical dental integration program to provide overdue vaccinations to adolescents ages 9-17 and evaluate the facilitators and barriers to the process. METHODS: The program was developed and implemented at one dental clinic co-located within a medical clinic at a federally qualified healthcare center in Denver, Colorado. Utilizing a shared electronic health record, human papillomavirus, meningococcal, and/or tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccines were recommended by dental providers and then administered by the medical team. Plan-do-study-act cycles informed implementation. Descriptive analyses of eligible patients were performed and run charts were used track process implementation outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty eligible adolescents were identified during a 6-month period. Overall, 29 patients (18%) received 41 vaccines. Process facilitators included staff buy-in and individual provider feedback and barriers included staff shortages and family vaccine refusal/preference to receive vaccines in the medical home. CONCLUSIONS: Many adolescents see dental providers more than their primary care providers, creating an opportunity to vaccinate adolescents overdue for immunizations during dental visits. A medical dental integration program to provide adolescent vaccinations was feasible in a federally qualified health center with co-located medical and dental services. Expansion to diverse healthcare settings is necessary to further explore implementation outcomes.

Sheen, A., et al. (2024). "Innovative state oral health initiatives: A qualitative analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstrations." J Am Dent Assoc.
	BACKGROUND: US health care delivery and financing arrangements are changing rapidly as payers and providers seek greater efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services uses grants and technical assistance to drive such development through innovative demonstration programs, including for oral health care. The authors reviewed these dental demonstrations to identify common themes and identify barriers to and facilitators of implementation. METHODS: The authors compared 12 identified demonstrations across 6 domains: grant and technical assistance, stakeholders, inner care settings, outer contextual settings, interventions, and outcomes. They developed program summaries for each demonstration and interviewed key informants using a semistructured guide to review, correct, clarify, and expand on program summaries. RESULTS: Common across all programs were engagement of nontraditional providers, care in nontraditional settings, payment as a critical externality for program adoption, interventions that integrate medical and oral health care, use of alternative payment models, and tracking process measures. Adoption facilitators included an engaged oral health champion and obtaining mission support and alignment among stakeholders. Common barriers included unanticipated organizational disruptions, poor information technology infrastructure, cultural resistance to nontraditional care models, and lack of providers in high-need areas. CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive findings suggest that oral health care may evolve as a more accountable, integrated, and accessible health service with an expanded workforce; collaboration between providers and payers will remain key to creating innovative, sustainable models of oral health care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' efforts to advance health equity, expand coverage, and improve health outcomes will continue to drive similar initiatives in oral health care.

Simon, L. and I. Lamster (2024). "Integration of Primary and Oral Health Care-An Unrealized Opportunity." JAMA Intern Med 184(8): 869-870.
	This Viewpoint discusses how dentists could provide some primary health care services as part of an interdisciplinary team, easing the burden on clinicians.
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Tate, A. R., et al. (2024). "Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect: Clinical Report." Pediatrics 154(3).
	In all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, pediatricians, dental professionals, and other physicians are mandated to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect to social service or law enforcement agencies. The purpose of this clinical report is to review the oral aspects of abuse and dental neglect in children and the role of pediatricians, dental professionals, and other physicians in evaluating such conditions. This clinical report addresses recommendations on the evaluation of bite marks, as well as perioral and intraoral injuries, infections, and diseases that may raise suspicion for child abuse or neglect. Some physicians may have received less education pertaining to oral health, dental injury, and oral disease. These physicians may not detect the mouth and gum findings possibly related to abuse or neglect as readily as abuse injuries involving other areas of the body. Therefore, pediatricians, dental professionals, and other physicians are encouraged to collaborate to increase the prevention, detection, and treatment of these conditions in children.