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Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice: Making a Difference in Oral Health Care in a Twin Cities Homeless Shelter (audio file 2:33) 

Click Minnesota Community Care, St. Paul (formerly West Side Community Health Services)   

           Lynn Anderson, RDH   

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Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice: Providing Oral Health Services for People in a Twin Cities Day Center (audio file 2:46)

Click Sharing and Caring Hands Dental Clinic, Minneapolis
Melissa Cozart, RDH 

      Minnesota Oral Health Coalition Infomars

                             Click HERE to access the Infomar video

                             Click HERE to access the Infomar slides (pdf) 

                             June 23, 20202 (51:14)

                            Click HERE to access the Infomar video 

                            June 2, 2020 (1:00)

Silver Diamine Fluoride: Adding Caries Arrest to Your Clinical Practice

Minnesota Dental Hygienists’ Association CE Meeting
Presentation on January 17, 2020

 

Heather Luebben, ADT, LDH and Deborah Jacobi, RDH, MA from Apple Tree Dental introduced Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), shared Apple Tree’s experience adding SDF as a treatment option including educating staff, patients, and partners about this still relatively new caries arresting medicament, application tips, clinical cases, and SDF’s implications for dental hygienists as educators and clinicians. Links to resources are included.

Click HERE for a handout of the presentation. (Note: large file)

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Video Tutorials   

             Nancy Franke Wilson, Executive Director, Minnesota Oral Health Coalition

Grant Basics  May 18, 2018   

Click HERE to download the video (1:02:18)

Click HERE to download the companion PowerPoint handout 

Click HERE to download a Handy Links Resource Page                                                                              

                                                                                           

                                              

Starting a Non-Profit 101  

Nancy Franke Wilson 

Click HERE to download the video (29:03)

Objectives:

• To define and give an understanding of what it means to be a non-profit 
• Review the types of non-profits
• Give an overview of the steps to gaining non-profit status
• Answer the question: "Do I really need to start a non-profit organization to meet my goals?"

       

     Closed Captioning (CC) is available within this video.

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5-27-2020

Assessing the State of Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice in Minnesota: Report on the Survey of Licensed Dental Hygienists Click HERE January 2020; Normandale Community College.  (Note: large file) 

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Issue Brief: Collaborative Practice as a Strategy for Increasing Access to Oral Health Care in Minnesota

        

May 31, 2019 The Network for Public Health Law Click HERE

This Issue Brief focuses on collaborative practice models as a strategy to increase access to oral health care for underserved communities in Minnesota. Part I of this Issue Brief outlines new workforce data from the Minnesota Department of Health to help put the oral health workforce landscape in perspective. Part II then describes how collaborative practice models utilizing dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental therapists can improve access to care for those who need it most.

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Click HERE to find Minnesota Statutes 150A.10, subd. 1a (law) that authorizes Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice in Community Settings and describes the community settings in which collaborative practice dental hygienists may provide care.     

Click HERE to find Minnesota Administrative Rules 3100.8700 that lists/describes dental hygiene scope of practice/procedures that may be provided by a collaborative practice dental hygienist under general supervision and as outlined in a written collaborative agreement. 

Click HERE for: Understanding the complexity of employment law and worker rights

Collaborative dental hygiene practice in community settings results in more people with access to preventive and therapeutic services and in finding a dental home. 

April 16, 2020

Creating a Dentist-Dental Hygienist Collaborative Relationship

Tell me about the Let's Smile story, and how you found your collaborative dentist.
I was a sub at a dental practice in my hometown, covering for a hygienist who was on medical leave. Being in that position provided a wonderful opportunity to develop a professional relationship with the dentist owner. I noticed that he participates in Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) and sponsors local children’s park and rec teams. In 2013, I approached him with the idea of becoming a collaborative dentist for me. I explained my plan to provide dental hygiene services to low income children and adolescents through non-traditional practice based in school-based clinics. He was hesitant at first since he had not heard of this concept. I provided him with information found on the Normandale Community College “21^st Century Dental Team” website regarding Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice in Community Settings. These are fantastic resources!

The dentist was under the impression that he would have to take all the referrals of the children seen by Let’s Smile. He was a current provider for Delta Dental Civic Smiles, Medicaid/Medical Assistance (MA) and UCare, however, the number of patients in his office on MA is limited and only to existing patients. I found three local offices that would accept Let’s Smile’s MA patients and assured him that I would only use his office as a referral source for GKAS.

What were some of the more difficult things you had to figure out when first practicing as a Collaborative Practice Dental Hygienist?
One thing we worked on was how referrals would work, because the dental practice couldn't handle all of them. To solve for this, I needed to find offices that I could refer to.

How did you accomplish that?
I called around and found other dental offices in the area that would accept MA and referrals. I send most of my referrals to a dental office in a neighboring city. We have a really special relationship and model that makes it a win-win-win for everybody! Let’s Smile contracts with one of their collaborative hygienists for each school-based dental clinic day.  Then, we refer the patients to that dental practice (as well as 2 other locations) for follow up care. Dental therapists in the dental practice see the kids for follow up care when needed. This makes for continuation of care and an ongoing relationship to a dental home. This model is how we make our program sustainable.

You mentioned you have had 2 collaborative dentists, right?
Yes, after three years my collaborative dentist had some growing concerns over liability issues and chose to no longer participate as Let’s Smile’s collaborative dentist.  

I then researched dentists that were active in my community. I became aware of another dentist who also participates in GKAS and sponsors local sports teams.  He was and still is on the board of the Children’s Remedial Fund. He was and still is an active member of the Minnesota Dental Association. When I approached asked him to be my collaborative dentist, he already had knowledge of how a collaborative agreement works. He very graciously said yes! He wanted to use this model to reach and impact underserved families. He is a current provider for MA and had limited his practice to patients of record. I reassured him that Let’s Smile had a strong referral arrangement already with a dental practice which helped with his decision to participate.  He attends the Let’s Smile board meetings, offers me advice, and is a true advocate for oral health care.

Do you have any other tips for hygienists looking to partner with a dentist in a collaborative agreement?
Begin by researching the dentists in your area. How involved are they in the community? What are they doing for the kids (or the populations that you serve)? Do they volunteer? Look for dentists that want to make a difference, and brainstorm together about how it can be done.

What would you say to dental hygienists hesitant about asking a dentist to form a collaborative agreement?
I would just say get curious about why you are hesitant. Perhaps, you don't fully understand the power you could have together! Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice has the potential to make a HUGE impact in your community and the communities around you. In the end, the worst thing that can happen is that they say no. Then, just continue to ask around until you hear YES! Believe me, there ARE dentists out there who want to support new and non-traditional ways of delivering care-- especially during these trying times.

Holly Jorgenson, RDH
Let's Smile, Inc.
Owatonna, MN

Oral Health Summit II- August 3, 2017

Minnesota 21st Century Dental Team: Toward Access for All

Normandale Community College, as a result of HRSA and Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation funding, hosted an event on August 3, 2017 intended to move thinking about provision of oral health care in an interprofessional direction. Speakers described their vision and experiences in development of a "Minnesota 21^st Century Dental Team" to improve access to care and reduce health disparities.  

April 6, 2021

Click HERE  State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map. 

July 2019

Delta Dental and Ecumen Awakenings presents: Oral Care Series: 

Click HERE to access education videos focusing on oral care for people living with dementia. 

• Introduction (1:05) 
• Oral changes and risks (5:24) 
• Basic oral care for people living with Alzheimer's disease (3:11) 
• Providing care for an independent person (2:52) 
  
• Providing care for a dependent person (2:43) 
  
• Techniques and atmosphere (2:02) 

What is Head Start and how can a collaborative practice dental hygienist become involved? 

Head Start programs prepare America’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. To achieve this, Head Start programs deliver services to children age birth to 5 and their families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being.

Contact Minnesota's Dental Hygienist Liaison (DHL):
Cathy Jo Gunvalson   cathyjogunvalson@gmail.com

Help Desk FAQ

March 2021

Q: As a Collaborative Agreement RDH how often do we need to take a Medical Emergencies Continuing Ed [course]? 

A: The continuing education cycle for all dental hygienists follows a two-year license renewal timeframe, no matter the type of oral health setting/program in which the DH practices. 

The medical emergencies continuing education requirement is specifically spelled out for dental hygienists working in a community setting. The lanuguage is found in MN Statutes 150A.10, sub. 1a.  https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/150A.10

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a dental hygienist licensed under this chapter may be employed or retained by a health care facility, program, or nonprofit organization to perform the dental hygiene services listed in Minnesota Rules, part 3100.8700, subpart 1, without the patient first being examined by a licensed dentist if the dental hygienist:

(1) has entered into a collaborative agreement with a licensed dentist that designates authorization for the services provided by the dental hygienist; and

(2) has documented completion of a course on medical emergencies within each continuing education cycle.

4-16-2020

Q: What strategies can you suggest when seeking a collaborative dentist? My long-standing dentist stepped down.

A: Refer to the dropdown menu titled Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice: A Professional Option (see black sidebar on left side of this page) to learn of a dental hygienist's experience when seeking a new collaborative dentist.

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3-17-2020 

Q: What are the benefits (tangible and intangible) to a dentist in signing on as a collaborative practice dentist?

A: In addition to increasing access to dental care, entering into a collaborative agreement provides an opportunity to innovate with other dental professionals in order to create a more sustainable dental delivery system. With collaborative dental hygiene practice models, dental professionals can meet patients where they're at - whether it's in a school, a nursing home, a memory care facility, hospital, etc. As a result, more people will get the care they need. CDHP allows a dentist and dental team to provide services to the community and extend the reach of their work. The tangible benefits to entering into a collaborative agreement will vary depending on organizational structure, but could include increased revenue for the dental practice if it is structured that way. The intangible benefits may include increased job satisfaction, brand awareness, and customer/patient loyalty. Dental practices that engage in CDHP with their existing staff could also see intangible benefits in increased employee morale and retention. Utilizing collaborative practice provides a unique opportunity for dental teams to come together with a common purpose and passion to create innovative paths inside dentistry. 

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3-17-2020 

Q: What is the liability to the dentist in signing on as a collaborative practice dentist?

A: The following response was transcribed from this website's video Coffee Talk 3: Unravelling the Challenges: Part II; time stamp 4:15...  https://tinyurl.com/vyrjkg4

Liability for Services Provided by the Collaborative Practice Dental Hygienist:
"Another thing that comes up often on the business side of collaborative dental hygiene practice is the issue of liability. The law doesn’t speak directly to this. There is nothing in the language that states who is liable for the patient outcomes. But as with any clinical situation, we assume that it’s both the dentist who’s collaborating with the dental hygienist, as well as the dental hygienist who is responsible for patient outcomes.

[In Minnesota], there really is no mandate for a dentist or a dental hygienist to carry liability insurance. And often dental hygienists are covered under their employer's plans. But we highly recommend that a dental hygienist carry their own liability insurance, even if they are covered under their employer. There are good reasons for that."

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2-27-2020

Q: Is a collaborative practice dental hygienists' work limited to a certain target population?

A: The opportunity for dental hygienists to provide care in community settings was developed in 2001 with the intention to serve uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans, in particular those persons enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs, who experience(d) barriers/difficulty in accessing oral health care services. 

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2-24-2020

Q: As a collaborative practice dental hygienist, I have a written agreement with a dentist who will be away from work for a period of time.  If a collaborating dentist is, for example, on maternity or medical leave, can I continue as usual with services in the schools or do I need to find a different dentist to sign a collaborative agreement?

A: If the collaborative dentist is willing to remain in the relationship and communicate with you during their leave, there doesn’t seem to be a reason why they couldn't continue as the collaborative dentist with your program. Consider meeting with the dentist before they go on leave to discuss that they will be available by phone for questions/collaboration if needed during this time. Immediately following the discussion, you may want to add a note to your collaborative agreement document describing what you and the dentist talked about. To plan in advance if a chart review or urgent answer is needed during the extended leave, the dentist may consider naming a colleague for this purpose, although not required by MN Statute 150A.10.

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2-12-2020 

Q: Am I required by the Board of Dentistry to register my collaborative agreement?

A: Response to this question can be found on the above-mentioned document Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice FAQs.