Interprofessional Education: Effectiveness of IPE for Oral Health Management

Interprofessional Education (IPE) demonstrates students from different professions learning and collaborating with each other to provide the highest standard of care, establish holistic healthcare modalities, and improve overall healthcare outcomes. The nursing profession has a vital role in implementing routine oral screenings and performing risk assessments to identify oral health issues that can help reduce health disparities. However, evidence has shown oral health education is lacking in the nursing curriculum to address these disparities. Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Various diseases and conditions that are critical to patient care are identified in the oral cavity. Incorporating IPE into the dental and nursing curriculums will further promote oral and systemic health in both the dental and medical professions. Research supports that the inclusion of oral health IPE structured into nursing programs is beneficial for the overall health and wellness of patients.