ADA webinar to address how to talk to patients about mental health
Register for Jan. 23 course through ADA Store
The American Dental Association will host a live webinar Jan. 23 to help prepare dentists and their team members to discuss mental health concerns with their patients.
The Dental Visit: Bridging Patients to Mental Healthcare Through Connection will provide dental professionals with the tools and communication skills they need to identify mental health issues during medical history updates or patient interactions, respond with empathy and confidently refer patients for help.
“Knowing the implications that mental health can have on oral and overall health, it is within dentists’ scope to empathetically and knowledgeably ask our patients open-ended mental health questions during their dental visits — not to diagnose or treat a condition, but to encourage our patients to seek professional care if they need it,” ADA President Richard J. Rosato, D.M.D., said.
Through the webinar, dental professionals will:
• Recognize the nation’s mental health crisis and learn about the U.S. surgeon general’s public health advisory on the importance of social connection for individual health.
• Understand the role of empathy and adopt the best communication practices when addressing a patient presenting with mental health needs.
• Implement questions during a medical update that will open conversations about mental health.
• Know how and when to use appropriate and validated tools for screening, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and learn about the science behind them.
• Learn about referring patients to mental health resources, including starting points, communication best practices and integration models used in clinics.
“As clinicians, we understand that a patient’s oral health is supported by optimal overall health,” said Jennifer Thompson, D.D.S., chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. “This course demonstrates how simple changes to patient conversations and medical history questionnaires can positively impact patients’ mental well-being, which in turn supports healthier daily behaviors such as brushing, flossing and following through with recommended care.”
Dr. Thompson will moderate the session. Other participants include Margaret Gingrich, D.D.S., chair of the Council on Dental Practice’s Dental Team Wellness Advisory Committee; dentist Lisa Kearney, D.D.S.; clinical psychologist Adrienne Lapidos, Ph.D.; dental hygienist Danielle Rulli, D.H.Sc.; and social worker Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Ph.D.
To learn more and register for the webinar, visit the ADA Store. The course will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. CST and be worth three continuing education credits. It costs $19 for ADA member dentists, $29.99 for nonmembers and $9.99 for team members.
