MSV and MSVF help bridge the dental gap

December 2011

The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) and Medical Society of Virginia Foundation (MSVF) often partner with other organizations to look out for the best interests of patients in Virginia. Most recently, the organizations are working with
several dental organizations to focus on opportunities for medical and dental collaboration and to provide Virginians with increased access to oral health information, screening, prevention activities and referrals.

In October, MSV was a distinguished sponsor in the Virginia Oral Health Coalition’s 2011 oral health summit, Bridging the dental gap: From policy to practice. More than 150 individuals attended this event to learn more about medical and dental collaboration, pediatric oral health prevention and diagnoses and oral health policy. Delta Dental’s Smart Smiles, DentaQuest, Small Smiles Dental Centers and the Virginia Dental Association were also event sponsors.

MSVF also participated on the grant writing team for the planning grant from the DentaQuest Foundation that was awarded to the Virginia Oral Health Coalition to address oral health access issues in Virginia through improved collaboration between medical and dental providers. Through this grant, the Virginia Oral Health Coalition will create an
alliance of medical and dental partners to address oral health access issues in the state. The alliance will create a roadmap of policy, education and practice solutions to increase collaboration efforts and expand the number and types of health professionals providing preventive oral health services. The alliance’s roadmap will offer solutions to ensure:

• Enhanced education of medical professionals and students
• Successful collaboration between medical and dental providers in practice settings
• Programs and policies that support medical and dental collaboration

For more information on oral health education, please visit the Smiles for Life Web site at ww.smilesforlifeoralhealth.org, which is an online tool that offers free CME credit for health care providers.