Dental providers and pharmacists: a call for enhanced interprofessional collaboration

Int Dent J. 2017 Dec;67(6):329-331. doi: 10.1111/idj.12304. Epub 2017 May 21.

Abstract

Reports concerning medication discrepancies in dental records indicate that the concept of interprofessional collaboration between the dental team and pharmacists should be considered at all educational levels in dentistry and pharmacy. Inclusion of oral health as a therapeutic area in didactic pharmacy curricula is needed. Early exposure of dental students and student pharmacists to collaborative practices through interprofessional educational experiences may create a higher degree of awareness of the role of each profession and the potential to improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, efforts are needed to develop a systematic approach for medication review and reconciliation in dental practice to obtain accurate medication lists, potentially by utilising health information technology.

Keywords: Education; interprofessional collaboration.

MeSH terms

  • Dentists* / education
  • Dentists* / organization & administration
  • Education, Pharmacy
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations*
  • Medication Reconciliation / methods
  • Pharmacists* / organization & administration
  • Professional Role