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Recording Transcript |
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The Colorado program is unique in that, although the bulk of Colorado’s population lives in a narrow corridor along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, many of the persons living with HIV infection and AIDS live outside of this corridor in the state of Colorado. The partnership has engaged dental treatment centers in more rural parts of the state to compensate for the lack of care in many Colorado counties. The most recent data shows that there are 25 counties in Colorado that have no health care provider who accepts either Medicare or Medicaid. There are 10 Colorado counties without a practicing dentist. It is imperative that patients have access to good quality care within the state of Colorado. The Colorado partnership makes every effort to facilitate quality care to our patients. Because of the rural nature of the state, patients are often required to travel great distances to receive oral health care. The only practical way for patients with unique needs to receive care from generalists or specialists is to receive care from agencies working together towards the common goal of providing excellent comprehensive oral health care. As might be expected, when patients have to travel long distance, often in inclement weather, it is not uncommon for patients to arrive late for their scheduled appointments, or even miss the appointment altogether. The partners have worked together to reduce this problem by scheduling appointments that fit the individual patients’ needs. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon appointments are often offered to assure adequate travel time. Primary and alternate treatment plans are discussed up-front with patients, with options offered for providing the maximum amount of care they can comfortably and safely provided at any single appointment. It has been the effort of every member partner to provide more personalized care. To increase the desirability of the treatment environment, every patient is always treated with courtesy, and confidentiality is always respected. Regular, reoccurring care is emphasized at every appointment, to include stressing the need for recall and preventive care, smoking cessation programs are discussed and education regarding risk reduction issues are also presented. Access to specialist care is emphasized. The University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine and the General Practice Residency has implemented a policy that stresses immediate access to specialists when necessary. Biopsies and specialized oral surgical services are made available as soon as reasonably possible to patients requiring referral from the partners. Importantly, partners receive feedback through patient surveys, seeking ways by which better care can be provided to patients on a regular and reoccurring basis. |