The Patient Centered Dental-Health Home 2023-2026 - 8

The Patient-Centered Dental-Health Home
This manual does not and cannot comprehend the
legal nuances of different states or cities which
impact construction and operation of a dental
clinic, which is why you need an attorney for
such guidance and you should not proceed with
construction until all legal approvals from governing
bodies have been received. However,
we are going to help you identify key
elements in hopes of helping you with
most ideal outcomes and avoiding
setbacks and underestimates of
project investment.
Needs Assessment
The segment of the population
whom you will serve, or your target
population, is typically dictated by
the demographics of your service
area. The oral health care needs of
low income, minority, rural, migrant
worker, refugee, and other vulnerable
population groups are often much
greater than those of the general
population. How you will specifically address
those needs will depend on which of these groups
predominate in your region and the specific
challenges they face.
CHC dental patients are not only likely to have greater
dental disease management needs but may have a
more complex combination of health conditions. You
may gain insight on health issues as typically policy
requires dental patients to register as community
health center (medical) patients of record first.
In conjunction with a focus on underserved
populations, many community health programs
also consider how they can attract the entire
neighborhood including patients with insurance
and other payment resources to bolster revenue
and maintain financial sustainability. In doing so,
the goal is always to make sure such additions do
not negatively impact care access for those
without resources.
To support one full-time employed (FTE) dentist,
you can reasonably allow for a minimum of 3,000
8
underserved patients who live within a three-mile
radius of the proposed facility location or 5,000
underserved patients within a five-mile radius. That
ratio should assure sufficient patient participation
to keep a full-time clinician busy. Private clinicians
frequently support their practice on fewer base
patients, but due to the complexities and demands
we see in underserved populations, calculating
clinic viability on a larger patient base provides for a
more realistic expectation for success.
As we proceed through this manual we will discuss
not only how your clinic can assure effective
delivery of care to the underserved, but how the
design can support a mission to be a provider of
choice for everyone in your service area.
Who Is Your Service Population
(Target Population)?
Ethnic diversity: which cultures and groups
need your services? How will you design not
only a facility but a service delivery model that
comprehends sensitivity to cultural beliefs and
possible language barriers?
Geographic service area: most people will use your
office if they live within five miles of its location;
unless you are in a very rural location, an estimated
70% of your patients will live within three miles of
your facility.
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The Patient Centered Dental-Health Home 2023-2026

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