About the Project
The Longwood Harvard Dental Center (HDC) Teaching Practices have initiated an innovative project known as the Nurse Practitioner-Dentist (NPD) model for Primary Care. This project aims to address a critical gap in medical-dental integration. Phase 2 of the program represents an ongoing collaboration between Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Thanks to funding from CareQuest, Phase 2 is scheduled to be carried out throughout 2023.
Phase 1
Phase 1 involved a collaborative effort between HSDM and Northeastern University from 2018 to 2019. During this phase, the program:
-
established its objectives.
- identified key areas of focus.
- secured support from the Health Research and Services Administration (HRSA) for funding.
Phase 2
Building upon the insights and knowledge gained from Phase 1, Phase 2 aims to demonstrate the financial sustainability of an integrated care model. The goal is to promote person-centered primary and preventive care while enhancing access to healthcare services.
In the Nurse Practitioner-Dentist (NPD) model, nurse practitioners play a vital role by providing comprehensive healthcare services to patients. Examples of these services include physical exams, annual wellness exams, and counseling on nutrition and tobacco cessation. By integrating these services, the program aims to enhance the value of each patient encounter, improve patient outcomes and deliver more holistic care.
