In 1st Look, to whom must providers refer high-risk patients?

• A. The patient 1st care coordinator
• B. The dental home
• C. The school nurse
• D. The physician

Answer: (A)

Focusing on care coordination is key when managing high-risk patients. In the 1st Look framework, the patient 1st care coordinator acts as the central navigator who connects the child and family with the right dental home, medical providers, and school resources. This role is responsible for removing barriers, scheduling and following up on visits, and ensuring that a cohesive, preventive plan is implemented across settings.

The dental home is the ongoing source of dental care, but it doesn’t by itself coordinate all of a child’s care across medical and school environments. A physician and a school nurse are important team members, but the care coordinator is specifically tasked with integrating efforts, communicating with all parties, and keeping the high-risk plan on track.