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Coordination of medical and dental care for HIV-positive clients in community health centers in Philadelphia
Thesis

Coordination of medical and dental care for HIV-positive clients in community health centers in Philadelphia

Emily M. Burke
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
Jun 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3930
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Burke_Emily_2012320.06 kB
PDF Project Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu
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Burke_Emily_2012_Suppl1908.38 kB
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Abstract

Community Health Centers HIV-positive persons Public Health
Objectives: This report evaluates current organizational and care coordination practices within a sample of community health centers in Philadelphia in order to determine methods that increase service utilization and to provide recommendations that can be used to enhance dental case management and care coordination procedures. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with service providers from community health centers that are members of the Health Federation of Philadelphia's CareLink network. CareLink's continuous quality improvement (CQI) data was analyzed to determine demographic information and oral health performance measures. Results: Across the four sites being studied, the rates of clients who self-reported an oral exam by a dentist during the measurement year ranged from 5 to 39 percent. All but one site offers onsite dental care, and though each site offers HIV case management, care coordination, and outreach, the implementation approach varied at each site. Providers list cost and fear as the primary reasons for low dental care utilization and many believe that increased dental care coordination may improve their ability to raise service utilization rates. The only site meeting national average for oral health performance measures is the only site that provides coordination specifically around dental care. Conclusions: Onsite dental facilities appear to be related to increased rates of dental care utilization. Sites with designated dental care coordination report higher rates of self reported oral exams by a dentist. It appears that organizational culture and service integration play a significant role in the ability to engage clients in dental care.

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