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Integrated Medical‐Dental Delivery Systems: Models in a Changing Environment and Their Implications for Dental Education
Author(s) -
Jones Judith A.,
Snyder John J.,
Gesko David S.,
Helgeson Michael J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.21815/jde.017.029
Subject(s) - dental care , health care delivery , dental education , delivery system , health care , oral health care , medical education , medicine , nursing , speculation , oral health , family medicine , business , political science , finance , law , pharmacology
Models and systems of the dental care delivery system are changing. Solo practice is no longer the only alternative for graduating dentists. Over half of recent graduates are employees, and more than ever before, dentists are practicing in groups. This trend is expected to increase over the next 25 years. This article examines various models of dental care delivery, explains why it is important to practice in integrated medical‐dental teams, and defines person‐centered care, contrasting it with patient‐centered care. Systems of care in which teams are currently practicing integrated oral health care delivery are described, along with speculation on the future of person‐centered care and the team approach. Critical steps in the education of dental and other health care professionals and the development of clinical models of care in moving forward are considered. This article was written as part of the project “Advancing Dental Education in the 21 st Century.”