Commentary on an Innovative Interprofessional Dental Practice for 2026.

An innovative interprofessional model is described for the delivery of dental care in the year 2026 to optimize efficiency and profitability while enhancing quality of care. BACKGROUND: The dental practice of tomorrow may look different than today. Although not broken, the current system can be improved in efficiency and effectiveness. Although traditional private practices will continue to exist and many will thrive over the next decades, they may not present the optimal model for dental practice. To manage complex patient needs, a more collaborative model of multidisciplinary, interprofessional clinical teams capable of treating patients comprehensively has been suggested by the authors. They explore an alternative model of practice that may be possible in the next 10 years to better serve patients and improve outcomes while honoring the role of practitioners. METHODS: Landmark publications and reviews are used to examine evidence showing the potential benefits of an innovative interprofessional approach to the delivery of care in the oral health care setting. CONCLUSIONS: By examining key studies, the authors provide commentary on the potential for enhanced efficiency, profitability, and quality of care in the oral health care setting through a collaborative model of multidisciplinary, interprofessional clinical teams capable of treating patients comprehensively.