Improving access and provision of preventive oral health care for very young, poor, and low-income children through a new interdisciplinary partnership.

OBJECTIVES: We provided oral health care services at 2 sites using a nurse practitioner-dietitian team to increase dental workforce capacity and improve access to care for low-income preschool children. METHODS: Our team provided oral health assessments and education, fluoride varnish application, and dentist referrals. The primary endpoint was participants' access to oral health care. Secondary endpoints included increasing the practice scope of registered dietitians through training programs for oral health assessment and the application of fluoride varnishes for children. The oral health and hygiene and dietary habits of the participants were also determined. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2013, 4360 children received fluoride varnishes in 7195 total visits. Although the proportion of children with dental caries at the first visit was greater at the urban site, both sites were similar by visits 2 and 3. The number of caries declined with increased program visits, which coincided with an increase in the proportion of participants visiting a dentist. CONCLUSIONS: Progress toward eliminating dental health disparities requires addressing barriers to dental care access. We showed that expanding access to oral health services through nurse practitioner-dietitian cooperation improved access to preventive fluoride varnishing use in low-income children.

Expanding oral health preventative services for young children: a successful interprofessional model.

Progressive solutions are needed to solve the oral health chronic disease problem in the U.S. The importance of oral health coupled with urgent community oral health needs, shortage of primary providers, and emphasis on interprofessional collaboration make the timing ripe for allied health training and practice in oral health preventative services. A successful model is described that addressed the unmet oral health care needs of low-income and at-risk children. The model is a guide for integrating an oral health screen, fluoride varnish, anticipatory guidance, and dental referrals into allied health practice. An alternative oral health provider approach was used to address the low rate of early caries detection, preventative oral care, and access for underserved children. A comprehensive system for the administrative and clinical components of the project, including implementation plan, clinical protocols, prescriptive authority, a dental home referral system, clinical training and competency testing, was developed. The interprofessional project increased oral health services capacity and practice acceptance of oral health screening and fluoride varnishing among dietitians. Oral health care services provide allied health practitioners with unique opportunities to impact the poor access and unmet needs of at risk children and adults and to improve overall health.

A novel, minimally invasive approach to managing mild epithelial dysplasia.

Conventional oral cancer screening examinations can be enhanced by direct tissue fluorescence visualization. Early dysplastic lesions detected during screening examinations often are monitored for progression or changes in appearance. Aggressive surgical intervention usually is contraindicated for mild epithelial dysplasia. As epithelial dysplasia progresses from mild to severe, the likelihood of it developing into carcinoma increases. Minimally invasive tissue management procedures should be considered as a possible method of early intervention to reduce the occurrence of oral cancer. This case report describes a novel approach to managing mild epithelial dysplasia when therapy is indicated (due to a high risk for oral cancer) but aggressive surgical management is contraindicated (due to a potential loss of function and increased morbidity).

It is more than just a reproductive healthcare visit: experiences from an adolescent medicine clinic.

The gynecologist may be the only physician that an adolescent depends on for primary and reproductive healthcare services. Because adolescent females often make personal healthcare decisions without the benefit of supportive parents/caregivers, it is imperative that the gynecologist understands the developmental issues encountered during this phase of life. The objective of this study is to identify cited complaints of adolescent females seeking reproductive care and, thus, provide gynecologists with needed information about the medical/mental health issues that may be encountered during routine reproductive care exams. The study group was adolescent females between the ages of 12 and 20 years old. The medical records of 479 adolescent females seeking reproductive care from an adolescent medicine clinic at a southeastern teaching medical center were reviewed to determine the most frequently cited medical/mental health complaints of adolescent females initiating a "routine" gynecological exam. Results indicated that adolescent females present for "routine" reproductive care exams with a myriad of concerns without formally requesting medical/mental health intervention upon initial presentation. The identified primary healthcare needs of adolescent females seeking reproductive healthcare include: 1) issues related to reproductive dysfunction (60%); 2) gastroenterological pain/issues (15%) 3) mental health issues (15%) and 4) general medical physical complaints (10%). Gynecologists are often asked to serve as a primary care provider as well as a reproductive healthcare specialist. Identification of the specific healthcare needs (reproductive and otherwise) of adolescent females will assist gynecologists in being uniquely prepared to practice in the setting of their choice.

The pediatric nurse practitioner's role in reducing oral health disparities in homeless children.

Dental caries is the most common infectious disease of children. The majority of children in the United States who experience dental decay are from low-income, minority families. Many low- income, minority families are at risk for homelessness and, indeed, mothers with children are the fastest growing homeless group. Once homeless, families end up in shelters. Shelters are a unique source for the provision of health care; however, the provision of dental care to mothers and children in shelters is limited. At a shelter-based clinic, of a total number of children assessed in a 24-month period (n = 264), 22.7% (n = 60) had obvious gross dental cavities. The school-aged children (6-12 years) (n = 41) had the highest prevalence of dental cavities (34%). Consistent with the literature, dental caries was the most prevalent condition of homeless children and the most difficult for which to obtain treatment. Follow-up was difficult because of the transient nature of homeless families.

A broken heart--the physician's role: bereaved parents' perceptions of interactions with physicians.

This survey study provides pediatricians the opportunity to hear directly from surviving parents and caretakers and is an initial step in developing training curricula for doctors and other health care professionals who wish to improve the effectiveness of their interactions with grieving families. A privately maintained listserve, originating in Kentucky, of bereaved parents and guardians was used to send written surveys via the U.S. Postal Service to those individuals living in Kentucky. Survey results include thematic concerns identified by the bereaved parents about physician interaction and actions at the time of a child's death. Although published guidelines are available for physicians attending to bereaved parents at the time of a child's death, these results suggest that the availability of guidelines alone may be insufficient and that more in-depth physician training and education are needed.

Clinical management of adolescents with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders that includes autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. This article provides the reader with an overview of the major psychosocial issues related to adolescents with autism. This discussion is followed by an interjection of medications that may be useful in maximizing the functioning of adolescents with autism.

Ethical decision-making for multiple prescription dentistry.

Technology provides a selection of treatment choices for dental problems. Dental ethics must be applied to the development of a treatment plan and the selection of methods. Treatment options should consider the patient's circumstances and desires as well as the dentist's decision as it relates to best practices in dentistry. This article presents four case studies that illustrate the process of ethical decision-making for the appropriate treatment.

Virtual patient training to improve reproductive health care for women with intellectual disabilities.

A multimedia virtual patient module, involving the case of a young woman with mild intellectual disabilities with a complaint of diffuse abdominal pain, was developed as a clinical training tool for students in health care professions. Primary objectives following use of the module included improved knowledge and reduced perception of difficulty in treating women's health patients with intellectual disabilities. The module was developed using an iterative, collaborative process of a core development team that included medical professionals, multimedia specialists, the parent of a child with intellectual disability, and a disability advocate. Over the course of the module, students were required to identify appropriate and effective clinician-patient interactions in addition to relevant medical and developmental concerns for this patient population. Pilot data from a sample of nursing, physician assistant, and medical students suggest that the module is an effective tool for both improving students' knowledge and reducing their perception of difficulty in providing care to women's health patients with intellectual disabilities.

African-American women: health beliefs, lifestyle, and osteoporosis.

Cultural beliefs of African-American women, manifested in lifestyle behaviors, may influence osteoporosis development. Genetics may have a positive influence on bone density, but the risks increase from other diseases that may contribute to the development of secondary osteoporosis. Health beliefs, lifestyle behaviors, and secondary osteoporosis causes are explored, focusing on relationships with osteoporosis. African-American women must be informed of the risks involved with some of the traditional health beliefs and practices. Healthcare providers have a challenge and responsibility to explore cultural beliefs with African-American women and to develop an acceptable approach to osteoporosis prevention.

Self-esteem: a hidden concern in oral health.

Little is known about the impact of oral health on self-esteem. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the frequency of low self-esteem in vulnerable persons who received oral health care at an academic nursing center. Participants (N = 86) completed the Index of Self-Esteem (Hudson, 1982b), answered open-ended questions concerning oral health care practices, and participated in an oral health examination. We found that 53% demonstrated low self-esteem, 67% (n = 58) had minor dental problems, and 33% (n = 28) had major dental problems. Oral health problems were ranked in importance along with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. Oral hygiene included no tooth brushing, infrequent tooth brushing, flossing, chewing gum, and using mouth wash. This study emphasizes the roles of the community health nurse in assessing oral health (particularly among a vulnerable population), advocating for policy change, and providing education.

Incidence of galactorrhea in young women using Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate.

Galactorrhea is rarely mentioned as a possible side effect of the use of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA). Over the last few years, we have noticed an increased number of patients complaining of galactorrhea. A review of clinical data showed that between 1999 and 2005, 360 adolescents in our clinic used DMPA for at least 6 months. After medical follow-up, 13 (3.6%) of these patients were found to have developed galactorrhea. The mean age of the patients was 19.4 years with a range from 13-24. Prolactin levels in these patients were normal, and in all subjects, the galactorrhea resolved spontaneously within the next year in both patients who continued use and those who discontinued use of DMPA. It appears that galactorrhea is a benign side effect and as previous reports have suggested, it did not seem to be related to changes in Prolactin levels in our patients. It is thought that this is a progesterone-mediated effect. We believe that reassurance and education of patients is sufficient and there is no evidence of need for further intervention. Since the sample size is small in this study, additional research is recommended as to validate the presence of progesterone-mediated effects secondary to the use of DMPA.

End-of-life care and social work education: what do students need to know?.

Social workers are major service providers to people who are facing end-of-life issues including the terminally ill and their families. Yet, exemplary models for social work education and intervention methods are limited in rural states. A statewide survey conducted in Kentucky found only two social work courses dedicated to end-of-life care currently being offered by accredited undergraduate and graduate institutions. Another statewide survey found that many hospice social workers are relatively inexperienced and have a need and desire for more education on death, dying and loss. Also, unique cultural, economic and geographic areas, such as Appalachia are enigmas when it comes to the provision of end-of-life care. This partnership provides a varied perspective on delivery of end-of-life care services with an emphasis on social work interventions and education.

Holistic health: does it really include mental health?

Holistic health, incorporating mind and body as equally important and unified components of health, is a concept utilized in some health care arenas in the United States (U.S.) over the past 30 years. However, in the U.S., mental health is not seen as conceptually integral to physical health and, thus, holistic health cannot be realized until the historical concept of mind-body dualism, continuing stigma regarding mental illness, lack of mental health parity in insurance, and inaccurate public perceptions regarding mental illness are adequately addressed and resolved. Until then, mental and physical health will continue to be viewed as disparate entities rather than parts of a unified whole. We conclude that the U.S. currently does not generally incorporate the tenets of holistic health in its view of the mental and physical health of its citizens, and provide some suggestions for changing that viewpoint.

From healing the whole person: an argument for therapeutic touch as a complement to traditional medical practice.

The growing popularity and use of therapeutic touch (TT) is an issue that has generated controversy and concern within the medical community. While anecdotal and traditional scientific evidence suggest that TT would be an advantageous addition for clinics and hospitals to include in their armamentarium of complementary interventions within the realm of traditional medicine, TT has not become widely available in the U.S. One reason for the lack of availability may be the dearth of conclusive scientific support for TT's efficacy and, therefore, its inclusion in clinic and hospital treatment planning would give it the appearance of legitimate practice, which it may not yet deserve. Whether or not deserved, if TT were added to hospital and clinic treatment protocols without substantial scientific support, it would be thought to have the implicit support of the scientific community, at which point the question of its efficacy would be moot in the minds of many people; thus patients would utilize it, because they believe it works rather than because it works. Since TT has not yet been scientifically proven as per Western standards, leaders of the health care community are likely wary of lending support to TT at this time. If TT can be found to be a scientifically sound therapeutic technique, then it will be more readily accepted in the health care community. This paper reviews TT.