In a recent article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, Vujicic and David offered insights into value-based care in dentistry. Their enumeration of the elements of value-based care (patient-centered care, a focus on prevention, evidence based practice, integrated care and continuous improvement) reminded me that our School of Dentistry has a tradition of clinical educational excellence by continuing to put the patient at the center of student learning, by educating our patients and community about their oral health, by adhering to evidence-based practice, and by striving to elevate oral health care in primary care, especially where chronic health conditions are prevalent. 

Beyond the controversial compensation implications of value-based care, the notion that our patients’ well-being is as important as the procedures we perform is central to our ongoing success. We have an especially talented team of faculty, staff and students; let’s continue our ongoing improvements in assuring every patient has a positive experience seeking and receiving care in our School of Dentistry.