Oral health is increasingly being recognized as an integral part of general health. Thus, experts believe it is important to integrate oral examinations into general physical examinations. (Photograph: Alexander Raths/Shutterstock)

Feb 2, 2015 | News Americas

NEW YORK, USA: According to a recently published report, integration of oral cavity assessment into conventional head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat (HEENT) examination could be a simple and effective method by which to decrease oral health disparities in wide parts of the population. The approach was developed to promote interprofessional collaboration and oral health competencies in primary care personnel.

For the majority of primary care providers, the HEENT examination excludes examination of the teeth, gingivae, mucosa, tongue and palate. In addition, oral health and its linkage to overall health are often omitted in a patient's health history, physical examination, risk assessment and management plan.

Therefore, the transition of the HEENT examination to a method that includes assessment of the oral cavity― hence HEENOT examination―could help increase oral health care access and address significant public health issues, such as early childhood caries, oral cancer and human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer, dry mouth and periodontal disease. 

The method was developed by the New York University College of Nursing's Teaching Oral-Systemic Health (TOSH) program, which aims to create interprofessional clinical experiences that focus on oral systemic health for nurse practitioner, midwifery, medical and dental students. 

As part of the project, many New York University nursing, dental and medical faculty and students were exposed to interprofessional oral health HEENOT classroom, simulation and clinical experiences. The researchers stated that this was associated with increased dental–primary care referrals.

"The TOSH program has dramatically enhanced the interprofessional collaboration between the nurse practitioner, dental, and medical students," said Dr. Ken Allen, associate chair and clinical associate professor at the university's College of Dentistry. "Working together, they have formed a unique bond while teaching and promoting the concept of including the oral examination as an integral part of every patient assessment, something that was often overlooked in the past." 

The report, titled "Putting the Mouth Back in the Head: HEENT to HEENOT," was published online on Jan. 20 in the American Journal of Public Health ahead of print.