Oral Health Maintenance® Program
The Oral Health Maintenance (OHM)© Program was developed by recognized leaders in the dental and medical fields led by a nationally recognized leader in the development of interdisciplinary care, Dr. Allen Finkelstein.
Dr. Finkelstein is the Chief Dental Officer of PrevMED. He was presented the prestigious Strusser Award in 2011 at the New York City College School of Dentistry in recognition for his leadership in developing the Geriatric Health Home. The goals of the Geriatric Health Home and the OHM© program is:
• Improve quality of life by improving overall health.
• Lower the risk of contracting systemic diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease and Pneumonia.
• Reduce costs of long term health care.
The only way to deliver these goals to our patients is to provide regular, routine treatment to help control bacteria in the oral cavity.
The OHM© delivers clinical services to Every Patient, Every Month. This frail population requires minimally invasive, non-surgical, regular treatments. The goal is not restoration; the goal is comfort and improved health. PrevMED clinical providers utilize proven treatments to meet the needs of the patient while minimizing patient trauma. Usually, these patients cannot or will not cooperate with the delivery of surgical solutions. These treatments are designed to generally meet the health needs of this geriatric, at risk population.
OHM© PHASE I – EVALUATE
A dentist first evaluates the resident. The general condition of the oral cavity is determined at this assessment. A risk level is established and the existence of periodontal disease is determined. Also, the resident is evaluated regarding his/her ability to cooperate with the delivery of treatment.
OHM© PHASE II – STABILIZE
The next step in the OHM program is to stabilize the oral cavity. In this phase the patient receives a COE, full radiographs, review of medical records by a dentist, plus a full mouth debridement/prophylaxis, fluoride varnish, antimicrobial treatment and minimally invasive restorative treatment materials. A treatment/ maintenance plan is determined. The Dentist consults with the Facility Medical Director and/or attending physician to review the Treatment Plan.
Further, the Registered Dental Hygienist meets with the facility care staff to review oral care; why it is needed, how to deliver and products required.
OHM© PHASE III – MAINTAIN
The final phase is maintenance of the oral cavity. The Treatment Plan is delivered monthly by the appropriate clinician. Medications and oral hygiene products are provided, regular meetings and training with clinicians and care givers are routinized to enhance care and outcomes.
The dental/physicians team consults to review outcomes and recommend changes in the Treatment Plan.
12 Month Oral Health Maintenance (OHM)® Program
This month-by-month clinical program was designed by our Chief Dental Officer, Allen Finkelstein, DDS, along with our Medical Advisory Board, the physicians and dentists of the Bedford Healthcare Solutions group. The program takes a preventative, rather than surgical, approach to oral health. It is a program that integrates oral health with systemic health in what Dr. Finkelstein treats as a “Geriatric Health Home”.
The OHM® Program is so much more than just a Dental Plan. PrevMED provides a dental solution to medical problems.
Click here for a month-by-month detail of PrevMED’s Oral Health Maintenance® Program
The OHM® Program is Individually Prescribed by the PrevMED Dentist to Meet the Healthcare Needs of Each Patient