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

KDHRC partnered with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) to conduct a systematic literature review of oral medical care coordination for whole person care. Poor oral health is associated with a range of systemic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Many chronic diseases also manifest with oral health symptoms. Therefore, seamless medical and dental care coordination would benefit many people.  

However, challenges to oral medical care coordination include lack of awareness, limited professional education, lack of technology integration, limited financial reimbursement, and outdated policies. Through an analysis of over 700 pieces of literature, our team created categorical segments and then identified four main themes (“pillars”) which we recommend for future frameworks to address oral medical care coordination. Through Awareness, Workforce Development and Operations, Information Exchange, and Payment, oral medical care coordination has the potential to benefit a large proportion of the population.  

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