25
Volume1 Issue6
|
I
ssues and
P
eople
T
ocurb thegrowingepidemicofdiabetes in theUnitedStates, theNational
Diabetes EducationProgram (NDEP) has taken the initiativeof rallying
pharmacy, podiatry, optometryanddentistry (PPOD) professionals. The
NDEPwas established in1997 topromoteearlydiagnosisof diabetes,
improvemanagement andoutcomes, andprevent—or at least delay—
thedevelopment of type2diabetes.
The initiative reliesona teamapproach toengage keyhealthcareproviders and
reinforceconsistent diabetesmessages across the four PPODdisciplines. “PPOD
providers areoftenaprimarypoint of contact for peoplewith, or at riskof, type
2diabetes,” theNDEPwebsiteexplains. As such, thosepractitioners arewell
positioned toeducatepatientsondiabetes control andprevention, discuss self-
management, and refer toother healthprofessionals toensureappropriatecare.
TohelpPPODprofessionals in this endeavour, theNDEPhasdevelopeda
comprehensive toolkit, called
which includes:
• A
guide
withcommunication tips, information specific toeachPPODarea, and
informationonother resources and relatedorganizations;
•
Presentation
slides
tohelp implement thePPODapproach;
•
Fact sheets
that healthcareproviders canuse toeducatepatients; and
• An
educationsheet
and
checklist
document tohelppatients control their
diabetes and for healthcareproviders tocommunicateefficientlyamong
themselves.
Withanestimated3.3million
Canadianssuffering from
diabetesandanadditional
5.7millionshowingsigns
ofprediabetes,
1
dentistscan
lookoutsidethemouthto
reinforcekeymessagesand
offeroptimalcaretotheir
patients.
DENTISTRY
in the time
ofdiabetes
TheNDEP is sponsoredby the
Centers forDiseaseControl and
Prevention (CDC) and theNational
InstitutesofHealth (NIH) and involves
over 200 federal, state, andprivate
sector agencypartners.
