Integrating an Oral Health Specialist into the Inpatient Care Setting

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Description:
This presentation explores the critical role dental hygienists play in an inpatient hospital setting by addressing the oral-systemic link. We delve into the impact of oral health on overall health, emphasizing how dental hygienists are filling an educational gap in healthcare. By increasing awareness and reducing the risks of systemic infection, dental hygienists are enhancing patient care and outcomes in the hospital environment.

Learning Objectives:
1)        Define and discuss the insights of an oral health educator in an inpatient hospital setting.
2)        Identify the type of hospital acquired infections that are correlated with oral bacteria.
3)        Identify oral complications that can occur due to medication induced responses.
4)        Identify the existing gaps in knowledge and awareness about the oral-systemic link in an inpatient hospital setting.

Katharine Martinez, MPH, RDH is an oral health educator at Phoenix Children\'s Hospital. Katharine is widely recognized for her role as an oral health educator in a hospital setting.  She has created a role that incorporates an oral health professional to be a part of the multidisciplinary team that has led to improving patient treatment outcomes and decreasing hospital acquired infections. Katharine is currently helping to mentor other hospital’s on how to facilitate incorporating oral health specialists into their organizations to improve treatment outcomes and decrease infections. She has aided and consulted with oncology clinics on oral health advice to serve patients undergoing cancer treatment.