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Sandy Lawlor, RDH, BA(Psych), BSW
Evidence shows the costs and demands on our healthcare system are escalating.1 This increase may be due to the longer life expectancy of the Canadian population, leading to a fast growing elderly population with chronic diseases such as diabetes and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.2 The belief is growing among healthcare providers that developing collaborative teams - with members contributing their expertise - provides maximum benefit to the client by reducing chances of error.3 This method of delivery is believed to result in lowering costs to the healthcare system though we do not know if that is the case yet. Canada was one of the leaders in developing a new method of healthcare delivery known as interprofessional collaboration.4
Interprofessional collaboration, also known as interprofessional practice, is defined as a comprehensive approach to client centred care by multiple health professionals who work together formally or informally as a team to provide quality care.58 This approach is vital to ensure improved client outcomes that cannot be achieved by working alone within one's own discipline.9 It further recognizes that each profession brings knowledge, skills, values and attitudes which are complementary to each client case.10 It also assists the client and his or her family to understand more about the client's health condition that can result in improved self care.11
In 2010, national competencies for dental hygiene were adopted for entry-to-practice Canadian dental hygienists. These competencies require dental hygienists to "function effectively within oral health and interprofessional teams and settings" and to "promote team relationships to support client services".12 This has led to incorporation of these competencies into the curricula of dental hygiene education programs. This new curricula not only supports interprofessional practice but also contributes to developing dental hygienists of the future who will understand the value collaboration brings to healthcare outcomes.13 In line with this new way of healthcare provision, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association developed an "End" or goal that states, "Members engage in interprofessional practice."14
I often reflect on the changes in dental hygiene over the thirty-six years of my practice. I cannot help but note we have entered a new and exciting era of healthcare where there is increased collaboration
La pratique interprofessionnelle: Amélioration du rôle de l'hygiéniste dentaire
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