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MEDICAL DENTAL INTEGRATION

WHAT IS MEDICAL DENTAL INTEGRATION (MDI)?

Medical Dental Integration is an approach to care that integrates and coordinates dental medicine into primary care and behavioral health to support individual and population health. It aims to improve oral health and chronic disease outcomes through an innovative systems-level approach.  

Video: The Importance of Medical Dental Integration

This instructional video highlights the importance of medical dental integration (MDI) to connect oral health and overall health, with a special focus on two elements of MDI: interprofessional collaboration and bidirectional referral, a two-way communication system to coordinate care between dental and medical providers. The video also explains how dental hygienists and/or dentists would complete a Nutrition and Oral Health Assessment to evaluate a patient’s oral health status and nutrition habits. 

"PARTNER ACTIONS TO IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH OUTCOMES"

  • In 2018, CT DPH's Office of Oral Health was one of five states funded by the CDC's Division of Oral Health to enhance coordination between medical and dental care for people with chronic diseases. With support from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), the office, in collaboration with Community Health Center, Inc., implemented an MDI project to integrate prediabetes screening, referral, and education into daily dental practice by identifying adults at risk for type 2 diabetes and initiating referrals to primary medical care for follow-up and referral to a CDC-recognized Lifestyle Change Program. Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity, including the MDI projects implemented by the other funded states (Colorado, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia). 
  • State Approaches to Improve Oral-Medical Care Coordination: Connecticut (Video)

MDI RESOURCES

The Connection Between Poor Oral Health and Chronic Diseases

Oral Medical Care Coordination: A Systematic Literature Review and Guide Forward

Best Pactice Tips for Providers: Implementing MDI Programs in Health Facilities

NUTRITION & PREDIABETES TOOLKITS

Nutrition and Oral Health Screening Toolkit for Dental Providers

Providers can use this toolkit to identify and address pediatric patient’s (ages 1 – 18 years) risk factors for childhood obesity and dental caries. It includes information to help providers discuss the importance of good oral hygiene and healthy nutrition habits with their patients and encourage behavior change by using motivational interviewing skills.

Video: Step-by-Step Guide: Nutrition and Oral Health Screening Toolkit for Dental Providers

This video demonstrates how dental providers can utilize the Nutrition and Oral Health Screening Toolkit for Dental Providers developed by the CT Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health.

Prediabetes Screening Toolkit for Dental Providers

Providers can use this toolkit, developed by the CT Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health to screen adult patients (18+) for prediabetes. This toolkit contains a prediabetes screener, patient education materials, provider information, and a referral template to identify dental patients who are at risk or who have prediabetes.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HAVING A COPY OF THE NUTRITION OR PREDIABETES TOOLKITS?

Please email CTDPH.OralHealth@ct.gov if you would like to receive a copy of one or both toolkits.

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