title: Interprofessional collaboration: if not now, when?
abstract: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is a driving force behind state-of-the art health care delivery. Health care experts, governmental bodies, health professions organizations and academicians support the need for collaborative models. Dental hygienists possess unique qualities that can enhance a collaborative team. As preventive therapists, health educators and holistic providers, they are positioned to contribute richly and meaningfully to team models. Health care reform, overwhelming oral health needs and growing associations between oral and systemic wellness add to the dental hygienist's relevance in collaborative arrangements. Dental hygiene clinical and educational models that speak to collaboration are operational in many U.S. states and the future bodes well for their continued growth.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fried
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017046:Cost Savings; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D004500:Education, Graduate; D017048:Health Care Costs; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009909:Oral Health; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000191:economics; D011364:Professional Practice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations
keywords: Interprofessional education collaborative (IPEC); advanced dental hygiene practice models; interprofessional collaboration; interprofessional education