As primary care continues to transition to comprehensive care, more fields are being absorbed into the primary care space, one of these being oral healthcare. Primary care teams have the unique ability to manage preventative, acute and chronic care needs for a wide range of clinical conditions. As many health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and other conditions, are linked to oral health, it is very much in the sphere of primary care. Ensuring that clinicians are equipped with the tools and knowledge to adequately recognize issues with oral health, provide basic treatments and exams, and help connect patients with dental professionals is essential. As over 46 million Americans live in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, the opportunity for primary care to fill that role is evident, and needed.
Title | Date | Source | |
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Integration of Oral Health and Primary Care Practice | February 2014 | US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration | |
Innovations in Oral Health and Primary Care Integration:A Report Highlighting the Mechanisms and Scope of Integration Efforts | March 2021 | ||
Improving Integration of Dental Health Benefits in Health Insurance Marketplaces | April 2014 | National Academy for State Health Policy | |
Health Is Primary: Charting a Path to Equity and Sustainability:PCC Annual Evidence Report | October 2023 | PCC | |
Developing an Interprofessional Oral Health Education System That Meets the Needs of Older Adults | April 2019 | Developing an Interprofessional Oral Health Education System That Meets the Needs of Older Adults | |
Blueprint for Health Report: Medical Homes, Teams and Community Health Systems | October 2014 | Agency of Administration, Health Care Reform |