Date Available

5-3-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

College

Nursing

Department/School/Program

Nursing

Faculty

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Committee Member

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Faculty

Courtney Brown

Faculty

Dr. Jessica Sass

Abstract

Background: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), including food, housing, interpersonal violence, and transportation are non-medical problems that can influence health outcomes (World Health Organization, 2020). Low-income minorities and public-payer groups are at considerable higher risk for social needs. Collaboration within the community can improve health outcomes (Sulley et al., 2021). A literature review revealed limited evidence of screening in dental clinic settings. Failure to identify and address SDOH needs in this population can lead to poorer health outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate social determinants of health screening and evaluate the quality of resources provided to patients in an interdisciplinary clinic.

Methods: This study is a two PDSA cycle quality improvement project evaluating social needs of the clinic, patient perceptions of screening, and quality of resources. Every patient who was seen in the clinic between May 2024 and November 2024 when the nurse practitioner was present, was given the SDOH screening tool. For this study, patients were excluded from data collection if they under 18 or were unable to speak, read and write English. After the screening was complete, PI assessed needs and provided requested resources. During Cycle 2, patients were then given a survey to evaluate their perceptions about the screening. A second survey was sent one month later to those who screened positive and received resources to evaluate utilization of resources.

Results: There was a total of 73 patients that were seen during the screening time. 67 were eligible for screening and 6 were excluded. There were 26 participants in the initial survey and 2 completed a 1-month follow-up survey. Screening results showed that 38.8% of screened patients were positive for at least one domain of the SDOH screening. About half (53.8%) of patients who screened positive requested resources, and the most common needs were for food insecurity (50%) and transportation (46.2%). Overall, participants indicated that the screening was well understood (4.77), felt comfortable being screened (3.54), and satisfied with overall support they received during their visit (3.54), however, they did not necessarily feel more supported by their provider when social needs were assessed (3.35).

Conclusion: Screening for SDOH within dental clinics can identify unmet social needs for patients which can improve health outcomes. Patients understand and are comfortable with being screened during dental appointments and providing them with resources can impact their perception of care provided.

Funding Information

This study was supported by the Institutional Multidisciplinary Paradigm to Accelerate Collaboration and Transformation (IMPACT) grant in 2024

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