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3 results on '"Simmer-Beck, Melanie L."'

1. Dental hygiene and direct access to care: Past and present.

Author

Gadbury-Amyot CC, Simmer-Beck ML, Lynch A, and Rowley LJ

Subjects
Humans, Curriculum, Dental Hygienists education, Health Services Accessibility, Dental Care, Oral Hygiene, Oral Health
Abstract

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) defines direct access as the ability of a dental hygienist to initiate treatment based on their assessment of patient's needs without the specific authorization of a dentist, treat the patient without the physical presence of a dentist and maintain a provider-patient relationship. In 2000, there were nine direct access states; currently, there are 42 states that have authorized some form of direct access. The ADHA has been instrumental in these legislative initiatives through strong advocacy efforts. While research and data support the benefits of direct preventive/therapeutic care provided by dental hygienists, many barriers remain. This paper chronicles key partnerships that have influenced and advocated for direct access and the recognition of dental hygienists as primary healthcare providers. The National Governors Association released a report in 2014 suggesting that dental hygienists be 'deployed' outside of dental offices as one strategy to increase access to oral health care along with reducing restrictive dental practice acts and increasing the scope of practice for dental hygienists. The December 2021 release of the National Institutes of Health report, Oral Health in America, further supports greater access to dental hygiene preventive/therapeutic care. This paper also reflects on opportunities and barriers as they relate to workforce policy, provides examples of effective state policies and illustrates an educational curriculum specifically created to prepare dental hygienists to provide oral health services in settings outside of the dental office. Dental hygiene education must ensure that graduates are future-ready as essential healthcare providers, prepared to deliver direct access to dental hygiene care., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Published
2023
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2. Workforce Policies and their Influence on School-Based Oral Health Programs: A synthesis of four case studies

Author

Simmer-Beck, Melanie L., Kelly, Patricia J., and Wellever, Anthony

Subjects
Oral health -- Case studies, Health policy -- Case studies, Public health -- Case studies, Urban poor, Oral hygiene, Childhood, Labor force, Minorities, Metropolitan areas, Public health movements, Professional development, Health
Abstract

Purpose: Childhood caries disproportionately effects children who are poor, live in low-income rural and urban areas, and come from racial and ethnic minority groups. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of public policy related to dental hygienists' level of supervision and policy uptake at the state level on the organization, delivery, and financing of school-based oral health programs (SBOHP). Methods: A multiple case study methodology was used to compare SBOHPs in the states of Missouri and Kansas. Interviews were conducted with an administrator, dental hygienist, and dentist at each Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that operated a SBOHP. Mixed methods were used to conduct and analyze interviews, examine supporting documents, and to report descriptive details. Analytic categories were used to examine the various facets of the organizational structures, delivery processes, financing and billing, and operations. Results: Five themes revealing differences between two states emerged; historical development of SBOHPs, the structure of SBOHPs, staffing and professional relationships, finance and billing, and capacity of school-based oral health network. Conclusion: Dental hygienists' supervision requirements play a critical role in school-aged children's access to oral health services and the capacity of SBOHPs. The variations in the degree of practice autonomy accorded to dental hygienists under the Missouri and Kansas dental practice acts resulted in different oral health delivery models. Greater autonomy for dental hygienists is essential for realizing the promise of dental public health. Keywords: access to care, school based oral health programs, dental public health, dental hygiene workforce models, health policy. This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area Professional development: regulation (scope of practice). Submitted for publication: 10/2818; accepted 3/12/19, Introduction The epidemic of childhood caries, a completely preventable disease, was highlighted in the 2000 United States (U.S.) Surgeon General's report, Oral Health in America. (1) In the nineteen years [...]

Published
2019

3. Implementing the Pediatric Oral Quality of Life (POQL) instrument in clinical practice: Early results.

Author

Gadbury-Amyot, Cynthia C., Simmer-Beck, Melanie L., and Scott, JoAnna M.

Subjects
QUALITY of life, ORAL hygiene, ATTITUDE (Psychology), DENTAL hygiene, MEDICAL personnel, QUESTIONNAIRES, RESEARCH funding, ADULT education workshops, CHILDREN, PSYCHOLOGY
Abstract

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene is the property of Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Published
2018

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