Perceptions of Healthcare Professionals on Implementation of an Oral Health Case Manager: A Qualitative Case Study
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Authors
Bedinger, Flora
Issue Date
2026-05
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
healthcare , interprofessional collaboration , oral health , Business, Engineering, Science, & Technological Innovation , Healthcare Innovation & Delivery
Alternative Title
Abstract
This research examined the perceptions of healthcare professionals on the implementation of an oral health case manager into a primary care setting in Massachusetts. The problem addressed in this qualitative case study was the lack of implemented interprofessional collaboration between primary health care and dental professionals within Massachusetts, resulting in reduced patient care. The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of physician’s assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants on the implementation of an oral health case manager to increase interprofessional collaboration between health care and dental professionals within Massachusetts in 2026. The conceptual framework for this study was interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP). This framework guided the research as the interviewing process included the groundwork and findings of the ICP framework and the underlying basis of RCC and used it as a guide for facilitating ICP and oral health case managers in primary care organizations in Massachusetts. A qualitative instrumental case study was used to collect narrative data, and the analysis of the information was through thematic analysis. The findings in this study support the research questions about implementing an oral health case manager to improve interprofessional collaboration, the benefits of this integration, and the barriers or facilitators of this integration. Future research recommendations include conducting similar studies in other locations in the United States to gain perspective from other states. Another recommendation is to examine the barriers and address how to overcome them. The last recommendation is for future studies to implement an oral health case manager, conduct research on the outcomes of the role, and thoroughly document the implementation process, cost, successes and hardships, and statistical data on addressing the oral-systemic link and achieving healthcare needs and goals.