Dental Hygiene ETDs

Publication Date

Fall 12-2025

Abstract

The integration of oral health assessments into primary care settings has been strongly advocated to enhance access to care for elderly individuals. Medical and dental professionals recognize the critical connection between oral health and systemic health. Physicians can play a key role in enhancing oral health care by incorporating an oral health assessment into routine general health appointments, such as the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Physicians in Montana were invited to participate in an anonymous study to gather their opinions on conducting oral health assessments in primary care settings, identify barriers to providing these assessments, and evaluate their knowledge of oral health and its impact on systemic health. A total of thirty physicians participated in the survey (N=30). The findings revealed that while Montana physicians acknowledge the importance of oral health for the overall well-being of elderly patients, oral health assessments are underperformed in primary care settings. Several barriers, including time constraints, inadequate training, and physician burnout, hinder their ability to conduct oral health assessments effectively.

Degree Name

Dental Hygiene

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Dental Medicine

First Committee Member (Chair)

Christine Nathe, RDH, MS

Second Committee Member

Nicole Gonzales, RDH, MS

Third Committee Member

Angela Cook, RDH, MS

Keywords

dental hygiene, medicare, oral health, geriatric oral health assessment, physicians and oral health care, geriatric oral health, oral health assessment

Document Type

Thesis

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