2022: Integration of Oral Health into Primary Care: Importance of Patients’ Perceptions and Attitudes

MORE Care (Medical Oral Expanded Care) is an initiative of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Its goals are to integrate oral health competencies into primary medical care settings. In collaboration with Oral Health Ohio, this program is a pilot that operationalizes the establishment of medical-dental integration (MDI), alternative payment models (APMs), and medical-dental networking. Data surrounding this information is critical to the adoption of and sustainability of such a program.

The MORE Care Ohio pilot will launch in August 2022 and will involve primary care clinics in Ohio. Patient surveys will include items on demographics and social determinants of health (SDOH). Clinical metrics will be captured regarding the number of patients with documented oral health assessments, discussions of oral health self-management goals, fluoride varnish applications, and referral to a dental provider when appropriate.

Principal findings include:

• Prior research by CareQuest Institute has shown that consumers and providers are both interested in increased interprofessional practice.
• Results from this study will present data on the operationalization of an MDI program and patient acceptance of such a program.