ACD Ethics Summit, Interprofessionalism, 2024

Richard E. Jones, DDS, MSD ACDF President

Between 1998 and 2006 the American College of Dentists Foundation sponsored four Ethics Summits. Representatives from approximately 65 diverse dental organizations participated. These included specialty groups, dental assistant and dental hygienist groups, Women Dentists of America, manufacturers, third-party payers, and most organizations concerned about oral healthcare. The concept was simply to come together and hold high-level discussions with a platform of enhancing ethics in oral healthcare.

The first organizational Summit was held in 1998. It was followed in 2000 with the purpose of pursuing and developing the concept of the Ethics Alliance of Oral Health Organizations to a level suitable for formal review and action by participating organizations. The 2004 Summit focused upon truth claims in dentistry. The last Summit was held in 2006 in partnership with the American Dental Association and focused on commercialism.

The ACDF is announcing the fifth Ethics Summit to focus on the topic of interprofessionalism. The purpose of the Summit is to bring together a broad base of parties interested in healthcare integration and to heighten the awareness that dentistry must be a full partner in

healthcare to promote overall health and wellness and improve patient outcomes. The workshop is projected to be two days in August 2024 and will be held in Rockville, Maryland. Invitees will include dental, medical, and allied health providers along with third-party payers, government entities, and citizen advocacy groups.

The significance of this initiative may best be summarized by quoting from the abstract of the ACD Interprofessionalism White Paper:

Oral health and overall health are intimately connected, and many emerging public health threats have oral health implications. Collaborative care among healthcare professionals has been demonstrated to improve patient outcomes, and therefore improved healthcare integration is a key focus area of healthcare reform. Yet, the dental care delivery system remains divorced from the rest of the U.S. healthcare system. Because integrated healthcare is associated with better patient outcomes than a more siloed approach, the dental profession must act to close the dental–medical divide.

Oral health and overall health are intimately connected, and many emerging public health threats have oral health implications. Collaborative care among healthcare professionals has been demonstrated to improve patient outcomes, and therefore improved healthcare integration is a key focus area of healthcare reform. Yet, the dental care delivery system remains divorced from the rest of the U.S. healthcare system. Because integrated healthcare is associated with better patient outcomes than a more siloed approach, the dental profession must act to close the dental–medical divide.

Increased integration will lead to better patient outcomes and a healthier population.

The full white paper may be found at www.acd.org and further information about the Summit is available by contacting Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org.