Imagine a hospital or clinic where healthcare professionals keep patients healthy and thriving. It’s a vision that’s becoming a reality, thanks to growing awareness of the powerful link between oral health and overall well-being. Small changes, like adding regular oral care routines in the healthcare setting, can make a big impact, especially for vulnerable patients. By bridging the gap between medical and dental care, we’re not only improving patient outcomes, but we’re also creating a more complete, holistic approach to health. This Expert Voices discussion brought together chief nursing officers from local hospitals and deans from nursing programs to discuss how to combine medical and dental programs and create partnerships in the future.
Bridging The Gap
At the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, we know that a healthy smile is an important part of a healthy life. More and more research shows that oral health is closely linked to overall well-being, especially for people in hospitals and high-risk care settings. Simple routines—like brushing and keeping the mouth clean—can make a big difference in improving mental and overall health. Programs like the Hospital Oral Care and Periodontal Disease Education (HOPE) dental program at 28 Banner hospitals across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming show how small changes can lead to better health. By adding twice-a-day oral care for older patients, hospitals can help lower the risk of serious infections like pneumonia. When medical and dental teams work together, patients get the full care they need to stay healthier, longer.
Building Stronger Healthcare Teams
One of the biggest opportunities in healthcare is better teamwork between medical and dental professionals. Nurses and doctors play a huge role in patient care, yet oral health is often left out of their training. By including oral care in nursing and medical programs, future providers can better understand how a healthy mouth supports overall wellness. Organizations like the Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health (CIPCOH) offer resources to help schools add oral health to their lessons and improve access to dental care.
Bringing medical and dental teams together isn’t just an idea—it’s happening. Some hospitals are working with dental schools to train students side by side, making sure both nurses and dentists know how to care for patients’ oral health. Hands-on programs teach students how to use tools like motorized toothbrushes and mouth moisturizers, simple steps that can make a big difference in patient care. When breaking down the walls between medicine and dentistry, it’s possible to give patients the best chance at a healthier future.
Challenges and Opportunities
While progress is being made, challenges like limited funding, short staffing and other hospital priorities can make it difficult to launch large oral care programs. Sustainable practices are key, such as regular oral care checkups and training non-medical staff to help with basic oral hygiene.
Additionally, the lack of dental coverage for adults under Medicaid increases the need for better oral health management in hospitals. By adding oral health screenings before medical procedures and involving other professionals like speech therapists, hospitals can create more comprehensive care plans for their patients.
Looking Ahead
In the end, improving patient care is about breaking down the silos between different areas of healthcare. It’s not just about treating one part of the body—it’s about understanding how everything is connected. By including oral health in medical training, encouraging teamwork and focusing on sustainable practices, hospitals can offer better, more complete care. Together, creating a future where oral health is a regular part of patient care can ensure healthier lives for all.
This blog is part of the Expert Voices series. This series brings together leaders in health and wellness to talk about problems and solutions to improve communities. In this event, chief nursing officers from local hospitals and deans from nursing programs in Arizona had a lively conversation. They discussed how to combine medical and dental programs and explored ways to create partnerships in the future. For more information about Expert Voices, contact Barb Kozuh at [email protected].
