Innovative primary care training: the Cambridge Health Alliance Oral Physician Program

Am J Public Health. 2012 Nov;102(11):e48-9. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300954. Epub 2012 Sep 20.

Abstract

We evaluated the Oral Physician Program, a dental residency sponsored by Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the Cambridge Health Alliance that offers an innovative model for training dentists to provide limited primary care. The didactic and clinical experiences increased residents' medical knowledge and interviewing skills, and faculty assessments supported their role as oral physicians. Oral physicians could increase patients'-especially patients from underserved groups-access to integrated oral and primary care services.

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Educational Measurement
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency* / organization & administration
  • Oral Medicine / education*
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Schools, Dental / organization & administration
  • Schools, Medical / organization & administration