General Medicine Includes Mouth and Teeth Care

In many regions of the globe, poor oral health is a major barrier to accessing basic health care. Some projects have responded by combining dentists and doctors in the same facility to provide basic health care services, including dental treatment.3

Because gum disease has been related to premature birth and low birth weight, Advantage Dental Plan hygienists visit Women, Infants, and Children clinics to treat pregnant women.

Dental caries and periodontal disease are only two of the numerous oral health issues that may be avoided with adequate treatment. Poor dental health can aggravate several chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. The prevalence of oral ailments can be reduced by implementing public health treatments like as water fluoridation, school sealants, and other behavioral modifications.

Timothy Martinez DMD added that primary care physicians can perform oral health tests, offer preventive care, and make structured referrals to dental experts. Fluoride varnish treatments administered in doctors' offices are also funded by Medicaid in a few of states.

However, integrating dental care into primary care is typically a time-consuming and inconvenient procedure. A diabetic woman who suffered tooth pain owing to an untreated gum infection visited the emergency department several times over the course of two years. A social worker was contacted to assist the patient in obtaining low-cost dental care as well as pharmaceutical co-payment assistance.

Maintaining good oral health should be prioritized in primary care. The government may assist eliminate obstacles to oral health care by funding dental coverage and supporting training for traditional and non-traditional practitioners such as physicians, nurses, hygienists, and dentists. Studies on effective messaging and programs to raise understanding of basic health facts can also help improve people's access to care.

The study of how oral health might be effectively integrated into primary care is gaining traction. Collaboration between dentists and primary care physicians is critical, as is the development of oral health delivery models that fall under the jurisdiction of primary care physicians. It also entails arranging dental referrals and putting in place a framework for incorporating preventive oral healthcare into normal medical practice.

To improve patient care, many different types of dentistry and primary care practitioners can collaborate. General dentists, dental therapists, hygienists, community dental workers, nurses, and expanded duty dental auxiliaries (EDDAs) are among them. In addition to hands-on treatment, these professionals may educate patients and offer advice on oral hygiene and occlusion.