Dental care institution Penn Dental unites medicine and dentistry, lessening emergency room demands.

In the heart of West Philadelphia, the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar is a bustling hub of healthcare services. Among its esteemed institutions are the PHMC Health Center on Cedar, HUP Cedar, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's crisis response center for pediatric mental and behavioral emergencies, and a unique addition – Penn Dental on Cedar.

Penn Dental on Cedar, an integral part of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine, is staffed with a combination of rotating third- and fourth-year students, residents in the School's Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, and Penn Dental Medicine faculty and hygienists. This dynamic team provides a range of dental treatments, making it a valuable asset to the community.

Cassandra Gafford, an assistant professor at Penn Dental Medicine, highlights the dental and medical integration at the Cedar site as the most holistic of the School's community programs. She emphasises that this integration is a testament to Penn Dental Medicine's mission to be a good citizen and a good neighbor to West Philadelphia.

The collaboration with Penn Dental Medicine has been transformative for Shelley Henderson, an assistant professor of clinical family medicine and community health, who has served as a provider at PHMC on Cedar since 2022. Henderson states that this collaboration has "changed the game for us."

The Cedar care center serves as a bridge between Penn Dental Medicine and the West and Southwest Philadelphia community, and between types of care. On select days of the week, students and hygienists at Cedar conduct free, optional screenings as part of physical exams at Cedar. This proactive approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive healthcare.

For some patients, like one who had their first ever dentist appointment at Cedar, these screenings can be life-changing. In other cases, Penn Dental providers can directly refer patients to medical providers upstairs if a patient presents as hypertensive or if gum health may indicate signs of diabetes. This seamless integration of dental and medical care allows for efficient and effective patient care.

Moreover, patients with dental emergencies can be redirected from the upstairs emergency department to the Penn Dental Medicine care center, freeing up emergency resources. This collaboration ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time, enhancing the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.

Mark S. Wolff, Penn Dental Medicine's Morton Amsterdam Dean, underscores the importance of maintaining optimal oral health for overall well-being. Since Dean Wolff's arrival in 2018, Penn Dental Medicine's community sites have broadened the level of restorative care and range of treatments provided.

In its first year, Penn Dental on Cedar completed 8,350 dental procedures, demonstrating the high demand for its services in the community. The centre's success is a testament to its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality dental care to all.

Care centers like the one at Cedar showcase to students that community dentistry is a viable alternative to private practices. Jackie Cuccurullo, a fourth-year student at Penn Dental Medicine, and Shivani Iyer, another fourth-year student, both agree that working in community sites helps them make patients more comfortable who may not have a history with dentists.

Gafford adds that these care centers inspire students to go out and treat everyone with dignity and respect, understanding that this is a real career path. This emphasis on compassionate care is at the heart of Penn Dental on Cedar's mission.

In conclusion, Penn Dental on Cedar is more than just a dental care centre. It is a bridge between healthcare providers, a beacon of holistic healthcare in West Philadelphia, and a training ground for the next generation of dental professionals. Its integration with the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar is a shining example of how healthcare institutions can work together to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Dental care institution Penn Dental unites medicine and dentistry, lessening emergency room demands.