Authors

  1. Larsson, Laura S. PhD, RN, FAAN

Article Content

To reinforce the interprofessional education and practice trends in contemporary curricular standards, traditional undergraduate and accelerated nursing students read Teeth1 in their senior-level population-based health care course. Assigned in weekly installments, the 288-page book was used in both a 16-week and an 8-week course format. Students reflected on their reading in weekly, reflective journal submissions. The readings prepared students for a guest lecture midsemester from a mobile dental hygienist outreach team. Students heard about regional oral health disparities and learned to apply fluoride varnish and to take digital oral health images to support the dental referral process from the primary care setting. Next, students participated in a Head Start health screening clinic with the dental hygiene team to practice their new skills and provide needed services in a health care provider shortage area. During the final face-to-face class, the course instructor facilitated a group discussion of the reading based on students' summative reflections and experiences. Policy implications were explored because RNs in most states can apply fluoride varnish but can rarely be reimbursed. Every student found the reading informative and relevant to their future practice. All students stated their intention to use their new knowledge to provide better holistic care to clients and families.

 

Reference

 

1. Otto M. Teeth: The Story of Beauty, Inequality, and the Struggle for Oral Health in America. New Press; 2016. [Context Link]