24 - Benefits of Medical-Dental Integration for Medical Residents, Providers, and Patients

Abstract: Integration of dental professionals into primary care improves access for underserved populations, and reinforces that oral health is not separate from overall health. In 2018, 112.3 million people visited a medical provider, but not dental. The North Dakota Oral Health Program placed a public health hygienist (PHH) into a family residency program to address patients’ oral health needs, and to educate medical residents on the importance of clinical dental screening and referral.

Methods: Medical residents were surveyed on oral health knowledge before and after completing their residency in a facility with dental integration. Patient data measured reach of the program tracking patients screened and referred.

Results: In three years, the PHH provided preventive dental care to roughly 33 patients a month (57/month prior to the pandemic). Of those patients, 14% had NEVER visited a dental office; 30% had not been in the last year. Roughly 71% of those patients received a fluoride varnish application in the clinic. Completing medical residency in a facility that integrates medical and dental care had a positive impact on the oral health knowledge and experience of medical providers. Third-year residents indicated they were either confident or somewhat confident in their ability to now identify cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and gingival hyperplasia.

Conclusions: Integrating a member of the dental team into primary care offered screening, education, referral, and fluoride application for at-risk populations while simultaneously preparing providers to better identify (and refer for) oral health concerns. Presentation will include updated data.

Source of Funding: The Oral Health Program under evaluation was funded by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration. The evaluation activities were conducted by the Department of Indigenous Health at the University of North Dakota as a subcontract to both federal awards.