Oral Health and Social Work Integration: Advancing Social Workers’ Roles in Dental Education

Abstract

Oral health remains underutilized within both integrated service delivery and educational settings. Advancing social workers’ roles in the education of oral health providers is one strategic way to expand oral health and social work integration. Although the involvement of social workers in dental education is not new, fewer than 18 percent of the country’s 68 accredited dental schools have active social work departments or services. This exploratory study sought to determine how, as of 2021, social work has been integrated into U.S. dental education programs (N = 13). Findings offer an overview of current social work programs in existence, roles social workers have in addressing social and behavioral health needs in dental education settings, and barriers to and facilitators in developing and sustaining integrated partnerships. This article discusses ways social work and oral health educational settings can mutually benefit from developing and/or strengthening their integrated collaborations. It also addresses a comparison of educational missions, clinical learning opportunities across both professions, and how patient care can be improved by expanding oral health and social work integration.

health education, interprofessional education, oral health, social determinants of health