Community Clinical Coordinator North Dakota Department of Health
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Melissa Kainz, RN, MSN: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Sandra Biller, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Cheri Kiefer, RN, BSN, RDN, RD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The North Dakota Department of Health Oral Health Program (ND OHP) is dedicated to improving all North Dakotans' oral health through prevention and education. Because oral health and overall health are interconnected, a greater emphasis is being placed on increasing coordination between dental and medical providers. METHODS: The ND OHP partnered with dental providers to provide blood pressure screenings for adult patients and conduct bidirectional referrals. All dental offices participating in the project received training on best practices for screening patients’ blood pressures, utilizing a standardized protocol. Dental offices tracked the number of screenings provided, the number detected to have high blood pressure, the number referred to a medical practice, and the number receiving follow-up on their referral. Partner dental offices included Federally Qualified Health Centers, nonprofit dental clinics, Indian Health Service clinics, and private practices. RESULTS: A total of 12 dental practices with 14 office locations provided blood pressure screenings and referrals. Sixty-five dental providers were trained on blood pressure measurement and referral protocols. Dental providers conducted over 25,682 blood pressure screenings during Year 3 of the project. Dental providers detected over 3,861 high blood pressure readings, made over 492 referrals to medical providers, and received follow-up information on over 155 referrals. CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure screening in the dental setting has evidenced positive outcomes and increased coordination of care between dental and medical providers. Future recommendations focus on the continuation and improvement of current practices in the areas of evaluation, implementation, data collection, and sustainability.
Source of Funding: The project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the State Actions to Improve Oral Health (DP18-1810) Component 2 cooperative agreement.