DentaQuest Institute is requesting applications for phase III of its Early Childhood Caries (ECC) Collaborative, a quality improvement initiative launched in 2008 that focuses on chronic disease management of oral disease.
Pediatric dental practices interested in reducing the incidence and prevalence of ECC among their patients are encouraged to apply by July 12, 2013.
Phase III of DentaQuest's ECC Collaborative will engage selected teams in a facilitated, practice-based, clinical quality improvement initiative to do the following:
- Reduce the recurrence of early childhood caries
- Reduce the percentage of patients requiring treatment for early childhood caries in an operating room setting
- Reduce the percentage of patients complaining of pain from early childhood caries
Using the breakthrough series collaborative model, DentaQuest Institute national and regional faculty will provide training and technical assistance to phase III teams. During their 18-month engagement with the ECC Collaborative, teams will learn from experts in practice-based oral health improvement, participate in free professional development and related discussion groups, and receive support in implementation of effective protocols for the management and prevention of advanced tooth decay in children.
The application is available on the DentaQuest Institute website. By August 8, 2013, as many as 40 applicant teams will be selected to join phase III of DentaQuest Institute's ECC Breakthrough Series, scheduled to begin that month.
