October Branch Meeting via Webinar "The Gateway Project" - in association with 3M

 The ADA thank 3M for their sponsorship of this webinar event.  

Gateway Dental Project:

The Gateway Dental Project is a partnership between Te Puaruruhau, the Child Protection Unit at Starship and Auckland Regional Dental Service. A Quality Improvement Framework utilised by frontline staff has significantly improved dental care for children and young people being supported by Oranga Tamariki, a group typically with low engagement with dental care.

The Gateway Service provides in depth multidisciplinary assessment of health and developmental needs for children in the care of Oranga Tamariki or at risk of being uplifted into care. Prior to this project only 8% of children referred to the Gateway Service were up to date with dental care. Although children were referred for follow-up with ARDS, engagement was very low despite these children being at high risk of poor dental outcomes.

This project has utilised PDSA (Plan Do Study Act) cycles to test different strategies for improvement. Development of relationships between Te Puaruruhau, Auckland Regional Dental Services, Oranga Tamariki and private providers has allowed for specific solutions tailored to each whānau.  Engagement with community providers is now over 96% and children are engaging through to the end of treatment courses.

We look forward to sharing our experiences of improving dental care for this vulnerable population.

Speakers:

Thoma Cullen, Dental Therapist, Auckland Regional Dental Service

Rowena Bird, Community Engagement Officer, Auckland Regional Dental Service

Allie Fyfe, Nurse Specialist - Gateway Coordinator, Te Puaruruhau

Colette Muir, Developmental Paediatrician, Te Puaruruhau