NCJ Number
68846
Date Published
1979
Length
370 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL PRESENTS INFORMATION TO HELP DESIGN DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE PREDETERMINED LEVELS OF QUALITY DENTAL CARE TO INMATES IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.
Abstract
A TRULY COST-EFFICIENT DENTAL HEALTH TEAM CONSISTS OF A COMBINATION OF GENERAL DENTIST, DENTAL SPECIALTY CONSULTANT, REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST, DENTAL THERAPIST, DENTAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, AND SECRETARY-RECEPTIONIST. THE USE OF INMATE HELP IS OFTEN ILLEGAL AND CONTRARY TO EFFICIENCY. RECRUITMENT OF A DENTAL HEALTH TEAM RESTS ON ISSUES SUCH AS COMPETITIVE SALARIES, MALPRACTICE INSURANCE, ADEQUACY OF EQUIPMENT, AN ADEQUATE NUMBER AND MIX OF DENTAL PERSONNEL, AUTONOMY, INMATE POPULATION BEING SERVED, SECURITY, ETC. STANDARD CLINIC FLOOR PLANS DETAIL THE SPACE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ADEQUATELY FURNISHED FACILITY. THE ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF THE DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM IN THE CORRECTIONS HIERARCHY SHOULD BE A MANAGEMENT DECISION AND COULD RANGE FROM PRISON STAFF POSITION TO A SEPARATE STATE AGENCY CONTROLLING ALL DENTAL PROGRAMS. A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OFFERS CHOICES OF DENTAL PROGRAMS RANGING FROM NO PROGRAM AT ALL OR ONLY FIRST-AID TREATMENT TO PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES AT AN OFF-SITE, NONCORRECTIONAL FACILITY. THE DENTAL PROGRAM MUST BE MONITORED AND EVALUATED ACCORDING TO STANDARDS AND CRITERIA DESIGNED FOR ASSESSING PERFORMANCE. A QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, AND PRESENTED HERE, MIGHT SERVE AS A GUIDE TO ASSESSMENT, BUT IT DOES NOT PROVIDE A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM. TEN APPENDIXES INCLUDE SAMPLE POLICIES, EMERGENCY REFERENCES, DENTAL RECORDS, AND RECRUITMENT GUIDELINES.