IADR Abstract Archives
Entrustable Oral Health Activities Among Canadian Health Care Providers
Objectives: Improving oral health for priority populations, those most at-risk for oral diseases, may be accomplished by integrating basic oral health care into primary healthcare, including health, school and community-based social services. Seven entrustable professional activities (EPAs) have been identified that facilitate the integration of oral health assessment and management into primary healthcare. The purpose of this study is to identify which of the Canadian health care provider (HCP) groups may be entrusted with professional oral health activities. An additional aim is to explore the degree to which the scope of practice of the entrustable health professionals aligns with the seven EPAs.
Methods: Three criteria were used to identify entrustable health professionals whose practice aligns with the EPAs: 1) HCP groups were identified using the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Workforce Database; 2) Oral health professionals and professionals with no direct patient contact were excluded; 3) National competency profiles of included HCP groups were analyzed by three independent reviewers to identify whether specific competencies encompass one or more of the seven EPAs. Discrepancies amongst reviewers was resolved through discussion to consensus. Once identified, applicability of EPA competencies to the competency profile was confirmed with an expert consultant from the HCP group.
Results: Thirty HCP groups were identified in CIHI. Four oral health provider groups and four HCP groups without patient contact were excluded. Early findings suggest that the competency profiles of the majority of the 22 identified HCP groups align with one or more of the seven EPAs, most notably, oral health assessment, education and treatment, and referral to an oral health professional.
Conclusions: Integration of EPAs into the practice of entrustable health professionals shows vast potential to improve access to oral health care, promote oral health and create referral pathways to a dental home for Canadians.
Methods: Three criteria were used to identify entrustable health professionals whose practice aligns with the EPAs: 1) HCP groups were identified using the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) Workforce Database; 2) Oral health professionals and professionals with no direct patient contact were excluded; 3) National competency profiles of included HCP groups were analyzed by three independent reviewers to identify whether specific competencies encompass one or more of the seven EPAs. Discrepancies amongst reviewers was resolved through discussion to consensus. Once identified, applicability of EPA competencies to the competency profile was confirmed with an expert consultant from the HCP group.
Results: Thirty HCP groups were identified in CIHI. Four oral health provider groups and four HCP groups without patient contact were excluded. Early findings suggest that the competency profiles of the majority of the 22 identified HCP groups align with one or more of the seven EPAs, most notably, oral health assessment, education and treatment, and referral to an oral health professional.
Conclusions: Integration of EPAs into the practice of entrustable health professionals shows vast potential to improve access to oral health care, promote oral health and create referral pathways to a dental home for Canadians.