Journal article
Integrating an innovative social work practice into a pediatric dental residency program
Journal of social work : JSW, Vol.23(2), pp.317-333
01/10/2023
DOI: 10.1177/14680173221143647
Abstract
This article describes the implementation and outcomes of a social work program in a university pediatric dental clinic serving low-income families. The goal was to decrease barriers to dental care access, decrease appointment failure, and improve interprofessional practice (IPP). Funding was obtained through a foundation to hire a social worker and two interns, and cover program costs. A survey identified barriers families faced to obtain and complete pediatric dental care. Residents, dental students, and faculty make referrals to the social workers who intervene to help families overcome challenges for their children's care. Findings The program started in January 2019 and outcomes are reported through June 2021. The largest barriers families identified were lack of a pediatric dentist near home accepting public insurance (91%), the dentist who saw their child only did exams and cleanings but not fillings (84%), and need for specialized dental care (77%). Five hundred and eleven families were referred to the social workers, most commonly for resources, information or other referrals (30.5%), dental insurance lapse (14.9%), caregiver guidance on oral health (10.6%), mental health concerns (10.4%), and poor treatment compliance (9.6%). Social workers provided 424 interventions, mostly about information regarding community resources (26.8%), transportation issues (15.9%), and telephone consults (14.2%). Appointment failure rates decreased from 17% to 13.5%, while the cancelation rate decreased from 19.2% to 14.3% from January 2019 to June 2021, respectively. Applications Social workers helped decrease barriers to pediatric dental care, improve attendance to dental appointments, and enhance IPP for pediatric dental residents, students, and faculty.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Integrating an innovative social work practice into a pediatric dental residency program
- Creators
- Elisabeth A. Purkis - University of Illinois ChicagoBrittaney Hill - University of Illinois ChicagoMarcio A. da Fonseca - University of Illinois ChicagoClark M. Stanford - University of Illinois Chicago
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of social work : JSW, Vol.23(2), pp.317-333
- DOI
- 10.1177/14680173221143647
- ISSN
- 1468-0173
- eISSN
- 1741-296X
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/10/2023
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Dentistry Administration; Prosthodontics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984367630602771
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