WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE?

Practical Definition of Collaborative Practice
[Dentist-dental hygienist] collaborative practice is different from and greater than [dentist-dental hygienist] collaboration.  Collaboration is a single, temporal event that can occur intermittently in the day to day practice of health care.   Conversly, [dentist-dental hygienist] collaborative practice is a dynamic process, a commitment to interact on a professional level, that empowers the participants to blend their talent, to achieve a goal that neither can do alone. 

   Thomson, D.J. 1995. Physician's perceptions of nurse-physician collaborative practice. Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved on June 1, 2007 from http://digitalcommons.fau.edu/dissertations/AAI1361619/

Academic Definition of Collaborative Practice: 
The science of the prevention and treatment of oral disease through the provision of education, assessment, preventive, clinical, and other therapeutic services in a cooperative working relationship with a consulting dentist, but without general supervision... 
http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_nathe_dental_2/0,9128,1352887-content,00.html

Metropolitan State University has partnered with Normandale Community College
to offer two new degree completion programs with emphasis on Collaborative/Advanced Dental Hygiene Practice

Baccalaureate Degree Completion in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
and
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice
 (Post-bacc applicants must have previously completed a baccalaureate/bachelors degree program)

For additional information contact Metropolitan State University at 651.793.1375

Upcoming Information Sessions 
Normandale Community College:  dates to be announced
Directions: http://www.normandale.edu/maps

Metropolitan State University: dates to be announced
Directions: http://www.metrostate.edu/bldgservices/location.html#stpaul

Welcome !                                                                                                                                                      January 2008
Whether you are interested in public oral health care or embarking on an entirely new aspect of dental hygiene employment, the information provided here will be helpful as you plan that journey.

There are currently many exciting opportunities taking place in Minnesota for dental hygienists who currently are or have plans to be involved in collaborative demtal hygiene practice.  In December 2006, the federal Administration for Children and Families- Head Start Bureau gave authorization for dental hygienists who currently hold a collaborative agreement with a MN licensed dentist, and who have completed a Basic Screening Survey calibration exercise,  to provide "oral health assessment/triage/referral" for children enrolled in Minnesota Head Start programs.  This process is recognized as fufulling the federal Head Start dental exam performance standard.

The ultimate goal of this effort is not only to "assess" the level of health vs. disease in Head Start children's teeth. Rather, the intended outcome is the creation of linkages that have and will be formed between dental hygienists providing services in Head Start sites and the dentists in private practice or community clinic settings who will provide follow-up services, if necessary.

As one of the persons fully involved in this effort, I know that this opportunity for dental hygienists to provide assessment and preventive services to Minnesota's Head Start children and the creation of linkages with dentists shows leadership in and a commitment to finding a solution to access to oral health care for Minnesota's underserved populations.

This is a ground breaking initiative for Head Start.  Already other states have noticed Minnesota's progress and have inquired about the process.  For further details regarding Head Start, see the link on the right sidebar and also log on to www.mnheadstart.org

All the best in 2008.
Clare Larkin, RDH MEd CDHC RF

Other Minnesota News !!!

Minnesota Oral Health Data Book
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/oralhealth/oraldatabook.doc

New Coalition Opportunity:  Smiles Across Minnesota
Contact Co-Chairs: Ann Johnson, Delta Dental of Minnesota
                                  ajohnson@deltadentalmn.org
                                  Sarah Wovcha, Children's Dental Services
                                  swovcha@msn.com

                   
Volunteer Opportunity !!!
Normandale Community College Community Dental Clinic
Thursday evenings
For details and/or to volunteer, contact: 
Colleen Brickle, RDH EdD
colleen.brickle@normandale.edu   952.487.8366

This website was made possible by a generous grant from the Minnesota Community Foundation. Thank You!

Generous additional funding to maintain a quality website has been granted by Delta Dental of Minnesota. Thank You!