TY - JOUR T1 - Interprofessional Collaboration: If Not Now, When? JF - American Dental Hygienists Association JO - J Dent Hyg SP - 41 LP - 43 VL - 87 IS - suppl 1 AU - Jackie Fried Y1 - 2013/01/01 UR - http://jdh.adha.org/content/87/suppl_1/41.abstract N2 - Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is a driving force behind state-of-the art health care delivery. Health care experts, governmental bodies, health professions organizations and academicians support the need for collaborative models. Dental hygienists possess unique qualities that can enhance a collaborative team. As preventive therapists, health educators and holistic providers, they are positioned to contribute richly and meaningfully to team models. Health care reform, overwhelming oral health needs and growing associations between oral and systemic wellness add to the dental hygienist's relevance in collaborative arrangements. Dental hygiene clinical and educational models that speak to collaboration are operational in many U.S. states and the future bodes well for their continued growth. ER -