Erin Hartnett

Putting the Mouth Back in the Head: HEENT to HEENOT

Improving oral health is a leading population health goal; however, curricula preparing health professionals have a dearth of oral health content and clinical experiences. We detail an educational and clinical innovation transitioning the traditional head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat (HEENT) examination to the addition of the teeth, gums, mucosa, tongue, and palate examination (HEENOT) for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of oral-systemic health. Many New York University nursing, dental, and medical faculty and students have been exposed to interprofessional oral health HEENOT classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences. This was associated with increased dental-primary care referrals. This innovation has potential to build interprofessional oral health workforce capacity that addresses a significant public health issue, increases oral health care access, and improves oral-systemic health across the lifespan.

Impact of Changes to Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines on Healthcare Providers and Patients

In October 2015, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its evidence-based breast cancer screening guidelines for women at average risk for breast cancer. These guidelines introduced significant changes to the age to begin breast cancer screening, as well as the frequency between screenings and duration of screening. Not long afterward, in January 2016, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released its updated breast cancer screening guidelines, which differ from those of the ACS. The varying guidelines present challenges for healthcare providers and patients, particularly women aged 40-49 years.

Oral Health in Pregnancy

Oral health is crucial to overall health. Because of normal physiologic changes, pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in terms of oral health. Pregnant women and their providers need more knowledge about the many changes that occur in the oral cavity during pregnancy. In this article we describe the importance of the recognition, prevention, and treatment of oral health problems in pregnant women. We offer educational strategies that integrate interprofessional oral health competencies.

Oncology Nursing in Cuba: Report of the Delegation

In December 2011, the first delegation of oncology nurses from the United States visited Havana, Cuba. The delegation included oncology nurses, educators, and leaders from across America and provided opportunities to learn about the healthcare system, cancer, and oncology nursing in Cuba. Delegation members attended lectures, toured facilities, and enjoyed Cuban culture. This exchange highlighted the similarities in cancer care and oncology nursing between countries and opened doors for future collaborations.

Preventive Dental Care: An Educational Program to Integrate Oral Care Into Pediatric Oncology

BACKGROUND: Early childhood dental caries (dental cavities) is an infectious process. The development of oral problems during cancer care results in pain, fever, and delay in treatment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this project was to integrate preventive oral care into pediatric oncology care. METHODS: This project consisted of an educational program for pediatric oncology providers who completed pre‐ and postprogram surveys assessing oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practice; attended an oral health education session; and performed oral assessment and fluoride varnish application on children during cancer treatment. FINDINGS: Three major outcomes resulted from this project: (a) 15 nondental healthcare providers attended the education session and 11 became certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics, (b) 53 pediatric patients with cancer received an oral assessment and fluoride varnish during the two‐month project, and (c) oral health assessment and fluoride varnish was instituted as a standard of care.

Impact of Collaborative Evidence-Based Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines on Survivors and Providers.

Breast cancer survivors face many challenges stemming from both their disease and its treatment. In December 2015, the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology released collaborative evidence-based breast cancer survivorship care guidelines for female breast cancer survivors and their primary care providers. This article discusses these recommendations for surveillance, screening, and management of both long-term and late effects of breast cancer and treatment.
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