Associate Professor / Director University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Divesh Byrappagari, B.D.S., M.S.D.: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Lindsay Sailor, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the medical –dental integration project was to increase access to oral health care, and improve health outcomes for at risk pregnant women and infants in in Michigan. METHODS: The grant-funded effort began as a one year pilot project at six Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHCs) sites and grew to include eleven geographically diverse FQHC sites across Michigan for a total over three years. Preventive oral health care was provided by a dental hygienist in an OB/GYN clinic and referrals were made to a dental clinic on site for follow up care. Medicaid claims data for women with live birth deliveries between April 2018 and December 2020 and enrolled in a Medicaid plan with dental benefits for at least 6 of 9 months prior to delivery were include in the evaluation. RESULTS: In general, women receiving prenatal care at a FQHC have nearly double the rate as those receiving prenatal care at non-FQHC sites and nearly quadruple the rate as those with no prenatal care. Overall, FQHC sites which participated in the integration project have higher rates of prenatal dental care than those which were not a part of the pilot project. CONCLUSIONS: The medical-dental integration pilot project was successful in increasing access to dental care for at risk pregnant women in Michigan.
Source of Funding: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Delta Dental Foundation of Michigan.
