Bridge between medicine and dentistry at Penn Dental, lessens pressure on ER
Penn Dental Medicine on Cedar, part of the PHMC Public Health Campus, has been making strides in providing dental care to the West and Southwest Philadelphia community. The campus also houses the PHMC Health Center on Cedar, HUP Cedar, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's crisis response center.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Community Health, Shelley Henderson, has been a provider at PHMC on Cedar since 2022. Her work has been complemented by the collaboration with Penn Dental Medicine, which, according to Henderson, has "changed the game" for their patients, allowing for optional dental examinations during physical visits.
Jackie Cuccurullo, a fourth-year student at Penn Dental Medicine, has rotated in and out of Penn Dental on Cedar for the past year. Cuccurullo has stated that working in community sites like Penn Dental on Cedar has helped her learn how to make patients who may not have a history with dentists more comfortable. One such patient was a first-time dentist appointment, a testament to the centre's community-focused approach.
Students and hygienists at Penn Dental at Cedar conduct free, optional screenings as part of physical exams on select days. Shivani Iyer, a fourth-year student, recently examined a patient's blood pressure at Penn Dental Medicine on Cedar and found it to be high, underscoring the importance of integrated healthcare services.
Cassandra Gafford, an assistant professor at Penn Dental Medicine, oversees the Community Oral Health Clinics at the Cedar site. Gafford has stated that care centers like the one at Cedar showcase to students that community dentistry is a viable alternative to private practices. Gafford also emphasised that the mission of Penn Dental Medicine is mission-driven, with the goal to be a good citizen and a good neighbor to West Philadelphia.
Dean Mark S. Wolff has expanded the level of restorative care and range of treatments provided at Penn Dental Medicine's community sites since 2018. This includes dental and medical electronic health records integration, enabling seamless care for patients with dental emergencies who can be redirected from the upstairs emergency department to the Penn Dental Medicine care center.
Gafford also views the Cedar care center as an exciting opportunity for inspiring students to go out and treat everyone with dignity and respect, and understand that this is a real career path. Penn Dental Medicine on Cedar completed 8,350 dental procedures in its first year, a testament to its impact on the community. Maintaining optimal oral health is essential to overall well-being, and Penn Dental Medicine on Cedar continues to strive towards this goal.
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