Interprofessional Collaboration:A� In healthcare, working closely with various healthcare providers (e.g. dental, cardiovascular, orthopedic, massage therapy, and such) for the enhancement of patient/client care, so all client needs are addressed and monitored and the patient/client is seen a whole, instead of various combined components (a mouth, a heart, a hip, a muscle, and such).A� Discussion between professionals takes place to ensure quality care for the individual.
Taken from the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, author: Bowes, Donna L, published: September 1, 2010, (http://www.readperiodicals.com/201009/2184046701.html):
How does the concept of interprofessional collaboration translate to the environment in which dental hygienists are employed? The majority of dental hygienists are educated and subsequently work for much of their professional lives within a dental clinical practice model. In this environment, collaboration may be viewed as the normal method of functioning within the immediate dental office team or with other dental colleagues. Rarely does it involve collaboration with professionals outside the field of dentistry. However, with self regulation and changes to legislation across Canada more dental hygienists are exploring unique and creative ways to deliver dental hygiene services, the success of which will inevitably rely on their ability to engage their interprofessional colleagues.A� Those dental hygienists who are employed in public health or in a hospital environment are more likely to have experienced enhanced opportunities for interprofessional collaboration, and therefore will have some familiarity and comfort in working with an expanded team.
Dr. Roz Lasker, Clinical Professor at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University states, “The unique advantage of collaboration is synergy”. Synergy can be defined as the ability of a group of people or organizations to do more together than they can do on their own. It is achieved through a collaborative process that enables diverse participants to combine their complementary knowledge, skills and resources thus resulting in the improvement of patient/ client outcomes.A� This is definitely the ideal way to treat the dental hygiene client!
