The case management component of the Initiative is intended to improve long-term oral health outcomes in young children, and in children and adults with developmental disabilities who live along the north coast region of California. Case managers provide extensive support to health care providers and families seeking care at the surgery center. PDI works collaboratively with case managers from referral agencies to assist with filling out referral forms, protocols and procedures into existing case management systems. Case managers travel throughout Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Marin counties to increase efficiencies in the referral and follow up process.
PDI case managers act as problem solvers for families, referring agencies, the community and the surgery center. Their primary responsibility is to provide necessary services to families, assisting them with gaining access to dental services under general anesthesia. These responsibilities include: providing interpretive services, arranging transportation for clients to and from the clinic, lodging if necessary and ensuring that all forms are filled out in a timely manner. Case managers ensure that patients are enrolled in the health insurance program for which they are eligible, and will facilitate that enrollment prior to treatment. If a family is not eligible for an insurance program, and cannot afford care, the case manager will assist the family in applying for enrollment in a Patient Sponsorship Program.