Embarking on a mission to expand dental care access, particularly for underserved children, often requires innovative approaches and strong community partnerships. Holly Jorgenson, RDH, founder of Let’s Smile, Inc., in Owatonna, MN, exemplifies this spirit. Her journey highlights the critical question for dental hygienists establishing community-based programs: Who Accepts Civic Smiles Under The Minnesota Health Care Program, and more broadly, which dentists will collaborate to serve patients referred from these vital initiatives?
Let’s delve into Holly’s experiences and extract valuable lessons for anyone seeking to bridge the gap in dental care through collaborative practice models within the Minnesota healthcare landscape.
The Genesis of Let’s Smile: Building a Collaborative Foundation
Holly’s story began with astute observation and proactive outreach. While working as a substitute hygienist, she recognized a local dentist’s commitment to community initiatives like Give Kids a Smile (GKAS). This sparked an idea: could this dentist become a “collaborative dentist” to support her vision of providing dental hygiene services to low-income children in school-based clinics?
In 2013, Holly approached the dentist with her proposal. She envisioned a non-traditional practice model reaching children who often lacked access to regular dental care. Initially hesitant, the dentist needed reassurance and education on the concept of Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice. Holly effectively utilized resources like the Normandale Community College “21st Century Dental Team” website to explain the framework and benefits of this model.
Alt text: Holly Jorgenson RDH, founder of Let’s Smile Inc., a collaborative dental hygiene practice in Owatonna, Minnesota, dedicated to expanding dental care access for underserved children.
A key concern for the dentist was the potential influx of referrals and his capacity to accept patients under Minnesota’s Medicaid/Medical Assistance (MA) programs, including Delta Dental Civic Smiles. He was already a provider but had limited his MA patient load to existing patients. This is a common scenario: many dentists participate in programs like Civic Smiles but may have practical limitations on the number of new patients they can accommodate through these programs.
Holly proactively addressed this challenge. Crucially, she didn’t just rely on one referral source. She researched and identified three local dental offices willing to accept Let’s Smile’s MA patients. This strategic approach allowed her to assure her collaborative dentist that his office would primarily serve as a referral point for GKAS patients, while MA and Civic Smiles patients could be directed to other accepting practices.
Overcoming Referral Hurdles: Finding Dentists Accepting MA and Civic Smiles
Navigating referrals proved to be one of the initial hurdles for Let’s Smile. The first collaborative dental practice couldn’t absorb all the referred patients, necessitating Holly to actively seek out additional dental offices. Her solution was direct and effective: “I called around and found other dental offices in the area that would accept MA and referrals.”
This simple yet crucial step highlights the importance of proactive networking and research. Finding dentists who accept Minnesota Medical Assistance, including programs like Civic Smiles, requires direct communication and building relationships within the local dental community. Holly expanded her referral network to a neighboring city, establishing a “win-win-win” model.
Let’s Smile’s sustainable program model involves contracting collaborative hygienists for school-based clinics and then strategically referring patients to a network of dental practices. This network includes a primary dental office and two additional locations, ensuring continuity of care and establishing a “dental home” for patients. Dental therapists within the referral dental practice further enhance this continuity by providing follow-up care when needed.
Building Lasting Collaborative Partnerships
After three successful years, Holly faced a change when her initial collaborative dentist expressed concerns about liability and decided to discontinue the partnership. This setback didn’t deter Holly. Instead, it prompted her to leverage her community knowledge and seek out another dentist equally committed to underserved populations.
Her approach to finding a new collaborator was insightful. She looked for dentists already active in community service, noting participation in GKAS, sponsorship of local sports teams, and involvement in organizations like the Children’s Remedial Fund and the Minnesota Dental Association. These indicators signaled a dentist with a pre-existing commitment to community well-being, making them a more likely candidate for a collaborative partnership.
Alt text: Two dentists engaged in conversation, symbolizing the collaborative relationships essential for expanding dental care access through community programs and referral networks in Minnesota.
When Holly approached her second collaborative dentist, she found someone already familiar with the collaborative agreement model. He readily agreed to participate, driven by a desire to reach and impact underserved families. Importantly, while he was an MA provider, he had also limited his practice to existing patients. Holly’s established referral arrangement with other dental practices again played a crucial role in alleviating concerns and facilitating his decision to collaborate.
This second partnership flourished. The new collaborative dentist became deeply involved, attending Let’s Smile board meetings, offering valuable advice, and actively advocating for oral health care within the community. This demonstrates the immense value of finding a collaborative dentist who is not just willing to participate but is also genuinely invested in the program’s mission and success.
Tips for Hygienists Seeking Collaborative Dentists and MA Acceptance
Holly’s experiences offer practical advice for dental hygienists aiming to establish collaborative practices and navigate the complexities of Minnesota’s healthcare programs like Civic Smiles and Medical Assistance:
- Research Community-Minded Dentists: Look beyond clinical practice and identify dentists actively involved in community initiatives, volunteering, and programs serving children or underserved populations. Their existing commitment suggests a higher likelihood of embracing collaborative models.
- Understand Dentist’s Program Participation: Inquire about their participation in Minnesota Health Care Programs, including Medicaid/Medical Assistance and specific programs like Delta Dental Civic Smiles. Assess their capacity to accept new patients under these programs.
- Proactive Referral Network Development: Don’t rely on a single referral source. Actively build a network of dental offices that accept MA and Civic Smiles patients. Directly contact offices in your area and surrounding regions to inquire about their participation and referral capacity.
- Educate and Inform: Be prepared to educate dentists about Collaborative Dental Hygiene Practice models, providing resources and addressing potential concerns, especially regarding referrals and program logistics.
- Highlight Mutual Benefits: Emphasize the “win-win-win” nature of collaborative practice. It benefits patients by increasing access to care, benefits hygienists by enabling them to practice in innovative ways, and can benefit dentists by expanding their community impact and potentially streamlining certain aspects of patient care.
- Don’t Be Discouraged by “No”: Persistence is key. If you encounter dentists who are hesitant, keep exploring and asking. There are dentists who genuinely want to support non-traditional care delivery models, particularly in the current healthcare landscape.
Conclusion: Expanding Access Through Collaboration and Strategic Referrals
Holly Jorgenson’s journey with Let’s Smile, Inc. underscores the power of collaborative dental hygiene practice in expanding access to care within Minnesota. Successfully navigating the question of “who accepts Civic Smiles under the Minnesota health care program” involves proactive research, strategic networking, and building robust referral systems.
For dental hygienists seeking to make a significant impact, embracing collaborative models and diligently building relationships with dentists and dental practices willing to accept patients under programs like Minnesota Medicaid, Medical Assistance, and Civic Smiles is paramount. By working together, dental professionals can create sustainable solutions to bridge the dental care gap and ensure healthier smiles for all members of the community.
