College of Dentistry/College of Nursing partnership.

Foresight brought together what many thought was an unusual combination: a College of Dentistry and a College of Nursing partnership. In 2005, Deans Michael Alfano, DMD, PhD, and Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, of New York University (NYU) had this foresight, and today we see the results, as well as the benefits.

The present dean of NYU College of Dentistry (NYUCD), Charles Bertolami, DDS, DMedSc, and Fulmer, who is dean of the College of Nursing (NYUCN), tell us that you have to start somewhere, and that it's all about the patients. In spring 2009, the first NYUCD and NYUCN publication, Interface, addressed the progress of this partnership. We are proud to excerpt several reports from it for Access readers.

Dean Fulmer states that the primary objective is a commitment to patients, who are the center of the dentistry-nursing alliance. It holds that nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, physicians and all health care providers have an obligation to collaborate across disciplines. This should create an environment that increases the value of every patient visit. The fact that more Americans visit a dentist than a physician each year underlines the urgency and appropriateness of providing health care across disciplines as a means of creating additional primary care safety nets to catch people who might otherwise fall through cracks in the system. It no longer makes sense for a patient to be able to access only one type of care at the point of service. Documentation of common risk factors for oral health problems such as periodontal disease, and for systemic health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, cancer and premature birth, further supports the relevance for interdisciplinary care. (1)

Assistant Dean for Allied Health Programs Cheryl Westphal, RDH, MS, stated, "Our programs have outstanding potential to develop numerous innovative approaches to dental hygiene education and research. Dental hygiene faculty Alla Wheeler, RDH, BA, MPA, is collaborating with NYUCN faculty member Shiela Strauss, PhD, MA, BS, and periodontist Stefanie Russell, DDS, MPH, PhD, to examine whether reliable glucose readings among periodontal patients could be obtained from their oral blood. Pilot studies, grant applications and publications have ensued."

Westphal continued, "Students in the dental hygiene programs work with dental and nursing students to gather patient risk information and plan comprehensive care at the college and at outreach sites. Dental hygiene students will rotate with nursing students in hospitals to assess patient oral health needs and plan comprehensive oral health care plans. Dental hygiene and dental students participate in our college 'prescription to quit' program for smoking cessation. Our nursing practice in the dental college receives referrals from dental hygiene and dental students for all related primary care patient needs. Ideas generate daily, and collaboration is immediately possible. It is truly an answer to meeting all of the needs of our patients in an integrated approach to health care delivery."

According to Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, NYU opened a nursing faculty practice in the College of Dentistry in 2006. This is one of the key components of the unique alliance. The nursing faculty practice offers many primary care services by adult, geriatric and family nurse practitioners. (2) The practice works with faculty and students at the College of Dentistry to identify a pool of dental patients in need of primary care services and recruits them from referral, patient education programs, health promotion offerings, targeted health screenings and community outreach.

During the course of patient care, dental hygiene students record blood pressure readings. They are poised to refer any patient with possible hypertension to the nursing faculty practice located in the same dental building. During the course of recording health histories, they can identify patients who have not had primary care in some time and also refer them to the practice, which can become their primary care "health home."

Another objective of this partnership is motivation. We should see ourselves as partners in the delivery of comprehensive patient care. By promoting patient-centered care and coordination of the care, future dentists and dental hygienists reinvent themselves as links to the medical network. In addition, nursing students are viewing the mouth with an increased awareness of promoting oral health, assessing oral health problems and making referrals to their dental colleagues.

In the area of research, dental, dental hygiene and nursing faculty have collaborated on research studies. In the area of outreach, dental, dental hygiene and nursing students have joined with faculty to conduct community health screening and educational programs. Dental, dental hygiene and nursing faculty concurrently participate in faculty development courses and have completed a comprehensive course of study in evidence-based practice.

At the NYU Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing, we are convinced that our pioneering "one-stop shopping" approach to health care has the potential to become a 21st century national model that will demonstrate how both high-quality general health care and dental care can be delivered in a synergistic way to improve health outcomes. (3)

References

(1.) Interface, Premier issue. New York University, College of Dentistry, Spring 2009.

(2.) NYU College of Nursing opens Nursing Faculty Practice. Global Health Nexus, Publication of NYU College of Dentistry, Spring/Summer 2007, 9(1): 84-85.

(3.) The evolution of the dentist as a key partner in health care. Global Health Nexus, publication of NYU College of Dentistry, Spring/Summer 2007, 9(1): 24-27.

* The NYUCD/NYUCN strategic plan is built on five dynamic pillars:

* Facilitating Interpersonal Relationships and Mentorship

* Fostering and Maintaining an Environment for Excellence

* Leveraging Partnerships among Dentistry, Nursing and Dental Hygiene

* Developing Men and Women of Science

* Promoting Global Activity (1)

By Cheryl M. Westphal, RDH, MS; Winnie Furnari, RDH, MS, FAADH; and Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN

Cheryl M. Westphal RDH, MS, is assistant dean for Allied Health Programs at New York University College of Dentistry.

Winnie Furnari, RDH, MS, FAADH, is an assistant clinical professor and assistant clinic director at New York University College of Dentistry.

Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, is associate dean for Graduate Nursing Programs at New York University College of Nursing.