Innovative Approaches Urged to Integrate Dentistry into Primary Care

Recent research underscores the critical need to incorporate dental health more effectively within primary care settings. Experts emphasize that embedding oral health into medical education, community initiatives, and healthcare systems can significantly enhance disease prevention, improve management of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and advance health equity across populations. Despite the strong link between oral diseases and systemic health issues, dentistry remains largely separated from the broader healthcare infrastructure. The recent special issue of JDR Clinical & Translational Research presents 17 studies from around the world advocating for interprofessional collaboration, workforce redesign, and digital health tools to foster integrated care models. Key contributors from esteemed institutions such as the University of Rochester, Harvard, and international universities highlight that transforming healthcare delivery requires policy changes, dedicated funding, and a shift in institutional mindset. Promoting comprehensive training that connects oral and systemic health and establishing supportive faculty development programs are vital steps. The collection aligns with a call to action urging academic institutions to revise accreditation standards and policymakers to implement sustainable reimbursement systems. Strengthening the dental workforce through this integrated approach is seen as essential to addressing preventable oral diseases affecting over 3.5 billion people worldwide and improving overall health outcomes. As Dr. Linda Rasubala from the University of Rochester states, this evidence will shape the future of collaboration between dental and medical professions, ultimately leading to more holistic and equitable healthcare for all.