New York University s College of Dentistry (NYUCD) and College of Nursing (NYUCN) have initiated a new collaborative program aimed at educating and training Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students to medically assess their patients. The program, aimed at whole health, highlights the unique capability of dental care providers to recognize and follow-up on patient s general health problems.
New York Universitys College of Dentistry (NYUCD) and College of Nursing (NYUCN) have initiated a new collaborative program aimed at educating and training Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students to medically assess their patients. The program, aimed at whole health, highlights the unique capability of dental care providers to recognize and follow-up on patients general health problems.
Dr. Andrew B. Schenkel, clinical assistant professor of cariology & comprehensive care, is spearheading the program in collaboration with Madeleine Lloyd, practice director of the NYU College of Nursing Nurse Practitioner (NP) Faculty Practice.
Among the goals of this new program are increased focus on the oral-systemic link as a two-way street; on how systemic issues can affect the timely delivery of dental care; and on the opportunity and the obligation DDS students have to intervene in their patients medical care to ensure that problems are addressed before they worsen.
A recent survey found that 15 percent of NYUCD patients had medical problems that were not being adequately addressed because they did not have a primary care provider. As a result, its common for these patients to present for dental care with a litany of serious, undiagnosed medical issues. Students in this program will have the skills necessary not only to recognize these issues but also to provide necessary diagnosis and referral.
Dentists share the responsibility for their patients overall health. says Shenkel. Now, with the introduction of a formal, collaborative teaching program uniting dentistry and nursing, we are giving dental students the skills they need to address both dental and general healthcare issues.
With help from Lloyd, students become adept at identifying issues that require medical clearance before dental treatment can proceed, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, potential prescription medication interactions, and other conditions. This, in turn, will provide more timely dental treatment for patients.
NYUCDs onsite NP Faculty Practice provides an effective catalyst for such a program: when issues arise students can consult immediately with Lloyd for an instant, chair-side consult, to clarify specific medical concerns and questions. If necessary, referrals can be made to the NP Faculty Practice for immediate treatment. Emphasis is placed on disease prevention and health promotion as students are taught to assess their patients primary and secondary preventive needs. This holistic approach to care is earning rave reviews from both patients and students.
A publication quality image can be found here: http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/images/photos/uploads/nyucd-cn_partnership.jpg
Caption: From left: Patient Benjamin Jones, Ms. Lloyd, Dr. Schenkel, and Mr. Sarembock, ‘09.
Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the United States, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYUCD has a significant global reach and provides a level of national and international diversity among its students that is unmatched by any other dental school. In 2005, the NYU Division of Nursing became a College of Nursing located within the NYU College of Dentistry.